PEUGEOT RCZ R Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

When Peugeot added the R letter behind the RCZ nameplate, customers knew that there was something special about this beautiful French coupe, and they were right.

Peugeot introduced the RCZ on the market in 2009, and by 2013, the sporty-looking coupe started to show its age. In September 2012, at the Paris Motor Show, Peugeot revealed the facelifted version of this compact coupe, and in the following year, at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the French automaker released the most potent version of this car, the RCZ R. Among other exterior and interior details, the new version came with the most powerful engine Peugeot had ever installed in a car. Despite all its efforts, the car had to be removed from the assembly lines two years later due to low-volume sales.

Even if the car was refreshed in September 2012 at the Paris Motor Show, the automaker considered that a few unique details would look good on the car, and that’s what it did. As a result, the broad new grille that featured two horizontal chromed slats also sported red lettering for the “Peugeot” name that appeared on its top and the additional “R” letter discretely shown on the left side. Underneath it, on the bumper, the RCZ boasted a similar V-shaped wide air intake as the rest of the range that ended on its sides with the daytime running lights.

From its profile, the car revealed its new 19” light-alloy wheels wrapped in Goodyear tires. The car came with a matte black roof, and, at the rear end, the automaker installed a fixed spoiler on the tailgate. For the rear fascia, Peugeot placed its bets on a twin exhaust system, with chromed pipes peaking from underneath the rear bumper flanking the diffuser. As an option, customers could get the double-bubble top finished in satin or gloss carbon with matching decals for the door mirrors.

Despite the modern exterior design, the cabin’s look showed its age due to the chunky buttons and switches in an era when the minimalism trend started to conquer the automotive world. Still, the sports seats with tall seatbacks and integrated headrests provided customers with enough side bolstering to keep them in place during high-speed cornering maneuvers. In addition, the automaker added specific details to the car, such as the R badges on the lower spoke of the seats, steering wheel, and center console. Furthermore, the gear stick sported red trims.

The car’s underpinnings were developed by Peugeot Sport, the same team that made the 908 race car for the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the world rally cars for the French automaker. They took the regular RCZ 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline engine and completely transformed it into a 270 PS (267 hp) fire-breathing four-pot powerplant. Its specific output was close to what Mercedes-AMG got for its A45 model. But Peugeot couldn’t afford to make the RCZ R with an all-wheel drive system, but still, it added a limited-slip differential for the front axle. The only available transmission was a six-speed manual.