The RCZ R has been developed in collaboration with Peugeot Sport, the French manufacturer’s motorsport division. It is powered by the 1.6-litre petrol engine that is also installed in performance Minis and Citroëns. However, Peugeot Sport has tuned the unit to produce 260bhp, which gives the car a specific power output of 160bhp per litre. CO2 emissions are estimated to be 155g/km.
To offer more sporting driving characteristics, the suspension has been tweaked and a Torsen limited-slip differential fitted. The RCZ R also gets different wheels compared with the standard version, in addition to bespoke exterior and interior styling.
A facelifted version of the standard RCZ will also be displayed at the Paris motor show. It features a revised front end with a new grille, revised LED lights, reworked headlamps and new chrome bars on the central air intake, which has been lowered and extended.
New body colours and wheel choices and enhanced levels of interior equipment are also part of the car’s mid-life revamp. The engine line-up remains unchanged: a 1.6-litre petrol unit in 154bhp and 197bhp states of tune and a 161bhp 2.0-litre diesel. An automatic gearbox will be optional with the lower-powered petrol engine.
The revised RCZ will go on sale during the first quarter of next year, with the hot R version following at the end of the year.
