Peugeot RCZ confirmed for Australia

By Alborz Fallah | July 13th, 2009

Our soon to be favourite Peugeot has been confirmed for an Australian release by July next year. The 308 based RCZ will be officially unveiled at the Frankfurt Motorshow this year and go into production by April next year.

Currently there are two engines planned, the 1.6-litre turbo petrol and the 2.0-litre HDi diesel (Euro V). As for transmissions, Peugeot plans to have a six-speed manual and auto available at launch. We are not certain if the automatic will be built by Getrag.

Little else is known about the car expect that it will be 4.29 metres in length, about 100mm longer than it’s main competitor, the Audi TT.

Given the current financial times, it’s a great sign to see a car company not give in to the usual financial dilemmas and ditch its spirited cars.

In fact, Peugeot hopes to reinstate the sports car feel back in the brand with the help of the RCZ which will act as the halo car for the French brand.

Peugeot Australia is hoping to sell around 350-400 RCZs per year (although we suspect they will do much better). Pricing is still unknown but CarAdvice believes it will be priced very competitively against the Audi TT.

All we can say is, it can’t come soon enough!

Tim

Looks like a Peugeot day at the CA offices! This thing actually looks like a frog….but in a cute sorta way. Have to applaud Peugeot though, creating different cars and not afraid to put their reputation on the line.

Would get a TT over this, but still interesting!
Alex

I think that looks fantastic. The first Peugeot I’ve found myself wanting in years. I think this will be a market below the TT though, I predict a starting price of around $40,000 to $50,000 simply because of the engine line up. After all, it’s not much more actual car than a 308 hatch so any more than $50,000 would just be too much. Considering the TT starts at about $60,000 with considerably less standard kit than I’m sure this will have, this would be a good value alternative that might get more looks.
Devil666

Peugeot needs a new exterior designer ASAP. Why is it that so many BAD styling cues get taken up more readily than good ones? Remember when the 5 series debuted the Bangle butt? Then you started to see them pop up everywhere? I blame Peugeot for their smug smiley face which has basically ruined the new Mazda 3 for me. Those bonnet creases also remind me too much of the Mercedes B and R classes, and that is NOT a good thing.
Mr405

This car is beautiful. I might have to consider one of these when it comes out.

As for Peugeot, I saw at least 10 308 convertibles drive past me today

I think they must be having some kind of media event. explains the sudden news.
Yanzo

it’s trying too hard at the mazda camp!
Sam, the original

Folding hard-top????
http://Caradvice.com.au Baddass

I’m confused, it’s not a convertible is it? If it isn’t, then that tail is way too long. Also that curve in the belt line looks cheap-skate: a Ferrari California-style curve would have been more effective methinks.
Jake02

All you complainers, do you want it here or not? If you do then STFU! No car is perfect!

When this comes out I hope they cut the stupid 407 Coupe. It’s place anywhere is not needed and they must sell less than 1000 worldwide in a month. It’s just a poor effort, especially after the nice 406 Coupe.

Back to this. If they launch it with proper big engines (that’s my biggest problem with the French carmakers
Jake02

All you complainers, do you want it here or not? If you do then STFU! No car is perfect!

When this comes out I hope they cut the stupid 407 Coupe. It\’s place anywhere is not needed and they must sell less than 1000 worldwide in a month. It\’s just a poor effort, especially after the nice 406 Coupe.

Back to this. If they launch it with proper big engines (that\’s my biggest problem with the French carmakers, they have such stupidly small engines and say no it\’s fine. It\’s not!) like a 2.0L turbo and maybe a V6 then yep it\’ll compete well with the popular TT. Looks great, interior is funky, mighten drive so well but it\’s a Peugeot so thats a given but if it\’s priced affordably then people will buy them!

By the way, Peugeot was first with the mouth. If Mazda didn\’t like it, then they didn\’t have to do their own right? Too critical!
PaulS

I’ve never been a fan of Peugeot’s interior, but I think their exterior design works.

They have that quirky french style about them, but they manage to be corporate/mainstream enough compared to renault and citroen.

Audi TT has more clean, sleek lines while this car has a lot more details – we’d just have to look at it in real life.
Tim

No Jake, you STFU – you pro Peugeot comment on every article is getting a bit long in the tooth mate. If you don’t respect people’s opinions then go some where else. No one is bashing your much-loved Peugeot, so calm down and climb back into Peugeot’s bed.

Anyway, I wouldn’t care a bit if Peugeot even close down in Australia. Their products are overpriced, ugly and don’t represent much competition as they are average vehicles with a few outstanding features. FACT.
t39

Will it be the most expensive car in the country without IRS (torsion rear bean as per the hatch i heard), or am I forgetting some others?
The Editor

“Anyway, I wouldn’t care a bit if Peugeot even close down in Australia. Their products are overpriced, ugly and don’t represent much competition as they are average vehicles with a few outstanding features. OPINION”

There you go Tim. Fixed that for you.
Shak

I dont care about the non IRS or the absurd pricing. IT LOOKS SO AWESOME. Finally a peugeot that isnt smiling uncontrolably. Either way Peugeot are on a role.
Jimbo

Nice car, I like it. I like the Peugeot style, that’s why I drive one. For me they are a refreshing change in a market place full of conservative designs.

Beware of the myths that surround Peugeot. I would suggest that people get out there and test drive a Pug or 2. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. My 207 handles like a dream and the quality has been outstanding and the servicing has been relatively cheap. The other Pugs I have driven have also been a joy to drive. Well worth the modest extra outlay of coin at initial purchase.
FrugalOne

When will Peugeot commit to the Australian market with a factory backed and run operation?

If they are not behind us 100%, sorry, not interested in buying your OVERPRICED and frankly fugly front looking vehicles.

Need to be the same price as Japanese vehicles, and at least 1/2 as reliable would be good!

Cheers

F-0
t39

Shak: “I dont care about the non IRS or the absurd pricing”. Here is an idea for you, Shak: print the picture and hang it in your bedroom. Then you can enjoy the looks without experiencing the sub-standard drive or the price.
Wheelnut®™

I’d rather have a Peugeot 407 Coupe instead of this [or a TT]
TSI

I like it a lot, look a lot different from TT. i htink TT looks too plain.IN this style, i think it looks nice just only a few colours like black, white silver and gray….
the price will be above $50000 i think.
Hey, Jimbo
Is the Pugs service cheap?? one of myfriend told me it’s very expensive,especially, the timeing belt..(60000 kms)
booter

FO – you can have a peugeot for the same price as a jap version – but your going to have to take out the better interior detailing and quality, you will have to lower the level of road handling and dynamics, fuel efficiency and safety features. that said why peugeot cant put an ipod connector in the 207 range is beyond me!

this RCZ looks interesting, cant wait to see it here. for those askign its a CC – so folding roof – hence the long butt. The TT is soft or hard top only. Im hoping it comes with the 160Kw 1.6l they stated at concept stage, i drive the 128kw version and its loads of fun, but one can never have enough power

if they are serious about sport cars for consumers give us a 207RC