Peugeot to Create Hors-Serie Division

The PSA Peugeot Citroen Alliance plans to expand its business on the premium vehicle market. After Citroen introduced the DS3, the first model of the French manufacturer’s DS luxury range, Peugeot announces that it will develop a similar division, called “hors-serie” (meaning: out of mass production), as autonews reports.

The carmaker’s new line-up will debut in June, with the introduction of the RCZ coupe, a car that was unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show. The second model of the sub-brand will come next year, in the form of a station wagon version for the 508, the model that will replace the 407 an the 607. 2012 will see the introduction of the third hors-serie vehicle, but no details about the car have been disclosed.

The new division will use the “hors-serie” name regardless of the market it will be present on, as Peugeot intends to create a strong image for its new high-end products.

The Peugeot RCZ is a 2+2 coupe that measures 1.36 meter in height and offers an engine comprising of a turbocharged 1.6-liter petrol unit developing 156 hp and and 240 Nm of torque, a more powerful version of the same powerplant, which offers 200 hp and 255 Nm of torque (the same unit used on the MINI Cooper S) & a 2.0-liter diesel engine that produces 163 hp and 340 Nm of torque. The first model of the hors-serie is scheduled to go on sale this spring, with (UK) prices starting from 19,900 pounds ($30,100) for the entry level model and reaching 24,000 pounds ($36,300) for the top of the range version, equipped with the 2.0-liter diesel unit.