PEUGEOT RCZ test drive since 2009 compartment

French bun

The concept car, presented in 2007 at the Frankfurt Motor Show, was called Peugeot 308 RC Z. This name says a lot, including the continuity of the new compartment in relation to a very popular model. However, thanks to the efforts of the French bakers, from the simple and unpretentious Peugeot 308 it turned out to be a very butter -shaped round French bun.

It is curious that 200 years ago, the French family of Peugeot owned a mill in one of the French provinces. With the development of production, the family business switched to the production of small steel products, including parts for mills and coffee grinders. It was with them that the career of the Peugeot brothers began in 1810.

The story of the brand is a long way from the so -called bisiklets (1882), as the first vehicles, through a series of not always too beautiful, but quite practical cars, to a modern very successful automobile production: today Peugeot today is the best -selling French brand.

Well, to the honor of French automotive traders, it is worth saying that after a two hundred years of history, they finally made a car with a French lion on the hood, about which we can say that he is sexy.

It seems that the French invested in the development of a car to the maximum. Only six months have passed with a demonstration of the concept, and in 2008 at the Motor Show in Geneva this model was already presented as serial. Two more years and this car can be bought in Russia. The start of production was laid at the Magna Steyr enterprise in Austria, which specializes in small -scale production of exclusive cars


Oh, these Frenchmen
From the very beginning, Peugeot had the task of building a car completely excellent in concept from the entire previous model range: excellent visually, technologically and even, I would say, socially. The French waved to create a toy for wealthy customers. This explains the use of exclusive technologies and materials, as well as a non -standard design and the possibility of individualizing the car (the choice of personal color of arcs, calipers, personal design of the salon, etc.), and, of course, the price is also exclusive. There has not yet been in the world of Peugeot, whose price would start from 32,000.

The French are a separate conversation. French men can wear pink shirts, make a mandatory manicure and ride small funny cars. At the same time, their masculinity does not suffer at all. Therefore, the appearance of RCZ in France is absolutely justified.

Another thing is with us. In Russia, this charming machine will be bought, rather, to their girlfriend or daughter, who will drive the wheel in heels and with a pink handbag in her hand (which, again, does not diminish the dignity of this girl) and say so stunned.

Firstly, because the vast majority of these cars are supplied with a manual gearbox. And secondly, because even in the weakest version of Peugeot RCZ has a 156-horsepower engine.

Other buyers? But this is an amateur, although experience shows that amateurs are always located, and RCZ does not have the task of becoming a folk car.

By the way, in total, Peugeot offers 2 varieties of power units (developed together with the engineers of the BMW group): the first option with a volume of 1.6 liters, with a capacity of 156 hp. And a torque of 240 Nm, and the same volume of 1.6 liters, but with a maximum capacity of 200 hp. and twisting in 275 Nm. (These engines imply the presence of a high -pressure turbine, the other head of the cylinder block and the gas distribution/lifting phase system of valves (on the top version), which allows not only to improve the ecology and raise efficiency, but even avoid turbo.) The same engine is equipped with the same engine and hybrid Peugeot SR1 concept car, as well as the new Citroen DS3R. It is good because at high power this four-cylinder engine in the city eats no more than 8-9 liters per 100 km, and its purity corresponds to the norm of Euro 5.

However, between the 156-horsepower and 200-horsepower version, in addition to the difference in power and the device of the power unit, there are some differences in the design of the chassis. The fact is that both cars are built on the basis of the so-called platform 2, the most universal chassis design, which underlies most modern Peugeot models: hatchback 308, 308 SW (with an elongated base), 308 CC (Coupe Cabriolet), crossover 3008 etc. However, for the top version of the RCZ, some changes were made to the design of the platform (version 308 SS): on the front axis, special rotary fists of increased size are used, borrowed from the 3 (Peugeot 407) platform, and a special lower -sustain stability stabilizer was added, and the rear beam spacers, and spacers of the rear beam. Expanding track, they teach a simple beam to drive as along the rails. Plus, the 200-horsepower RCZ also received increased brake discs, which is explained by higher car power.

It is nice that the cooling system was thought out: a small electric motor was installed on the turbine, which for several minutes after turning off the engine drives a cooling liquid until the temperature drops to the desired level. That is, such a pleasant built -in turbotimer, which equip both versions.


Not so simple
In general, this thought is primarily leaded to the configuration of the roof. The French call it two hemispheres, and the incomparable Hugo Zagato (the famous Italian body engineer and tuner) called a double bubble. It was such a roof configuration that was first used on racing cars modified in the Zagato atelier many decades ago, and one of the explanations was exclusively trivial: riders did not fit along with helmets under low ceilings of cars, and in order to increase the space and preserve aerodynamics, it was decided Build such a double bubble. (True, there is an opinion that the French painted two hemispheres of the roof from a much more romantic nature)

By the way, the increased glazing of the body, smoothly passing into the roof, which is absolutely implemented in RCZ, is also the invention of Zagato. It was first implemented in the late 40s of the last century

Well, most importantly, the subconscious impression is that you are not just a toy in front of you, they create huge, just huge, 19-inch wheels and double, not at all a toy exhaust

In general, this is what I have looked at the car and noting several characteristic signs in the mind, you understand that this is still a little thing, and then it becomes pleasant when, after a test drive, disappointments in the sports qualities of this appetizing French buns with a toothy branded smile .


Audi RCZ
The first comparison of Peugeot RCZ, which comes to everyone, Audi TT. But two coupes, similar shapes and similar characteristics (a base TT with a 1.8 -liter turbo engine on a mechanical gearbox, develops a power of 160 hp. Only 4 horses again) will never be competitors.

And the point is not that RCZ is 200 thousand cheaper. It’s just that the French and German cars of the fans have always varyed very much. And this is understandable. The Germans love for practicality and reliability only in the quadratis formula, practical, gut, when it comes to the TT, it remains to replace one of the elements with the circle. The French have always attracted creative and emotional natures. Take a look at this compartment: deliberate disproportionate, elegant and rounded lines, some kind of artistic negligence in clothes here he is Paris! I now, looking at the streets that go through the streets in the outline of RCZ, no, no, and the image of a French girl who threw a scarf and striving along the Paris streets to her lover flickens on his shoulder.

However, in recent years, the Germans and French have been much more strongly equalized than one might think. Having made friends with German engineers, Peugeot began to produce quite reliable cars, moreover, RCZ adapted to our reality, of course, this is not the 308th Kaluga assembly, but it was in it that many fruitful engineering ideas were implemented that helped to raise this car to a qualitatively different level .


Hot Couture from Peugeot
The first sensation of the car is purely woman’s: beautiful Lyalya. Even, tidy, all shines. Golden aluminum arcs pass along the roof above the doors, the windshield is high, the feeling is created that the entire roof is glass.

In the beat of the outer overlays, the disks of devices gleam with a golden color. Pigzon watches in the middle of the front panel. A flat line on the skin in the cabin, the front panel improved several orders (taken, by the way, is also from the 308th relative). Very convenient front seats, with excellent lateral support. You won’t call the rear ones with seats, so, benches, tightened by the skin, although what compartment according to the 2+2 scheme boasts the comfort of the rear passengers? However, you will not have to bend at them, although the fifth point will be uncomfortable: thanks to the two -insan roof, the scope for the head is very noticeably increased. They also did not stint on the skin, but the upholstery of the front seats is proudly decorated with French lions.

The entire information visual interface for the car is very understandable at least at first glance, everything is in its place. I only seemed uncomfortable for additional levers under the wheel, on which a radio control system and an on -board computer was carried out, but this is purely subjective: the female brush is smaller in size of the male, and I do not have enough fingers to control the buttons located on the back of the levers. Each time you have to tear off your palms from the steering wheel to change the volume or switch the channel, and in some situations it may be critical.

With a certain modernity of the salon, you can’t call it extravagant, everything is restrained, classically, comfortable. This is the corporate identity of Peugeot they do not like to catch their eyes and be evoked.

The landing of the car is low, predatory, the wheels are widely placed. Yes, and the wheels themselves are not comic: rubber 235/40 is worn on 19-inch wheels. It is worth noting a reduced road clearance compared to the 308th and an enlarged rear and front track. And the black color is live (not in the photograph) exclusively, gives an additional French chic.

However, having mastered inside, you begin to notice the little things. For example, a button near a handbrake. What's this? It turns out that this is manual adjustment of the rear spoiler. In the standard position, the spoiler is hidden, but this is not an element of decor. It has two provisions at an angle of 19 and at an angle of 34. In the first position it is automatically installed as soon as the speedometer arrow exceeds the mark of 85 km/h, to the second at a speed of more than 155 km/h, then it returns to the first position by reducing the speed by 10 km/h, and 55 km/h is removed at all.

Attention! There are probably no functions of anti -jacket of an active spoiler on RCZ, when no one sees, chestnuts click on it!

For those who follow the Russian rules of the road and do not accelerate to 155 km/h and made a bonus in the form of a special button on the central console: by clicking on it, you can always raise the spoiler and feel like a rider. Something suggests that RCZ owners often will press this treasured button, as well as the owners of the tumor to turn on the lower row of the headlights: simply because it is so beautiful.

By the way, a very similar to this spoiler is used in Citroen C6. But only TSS!


The flight is normal!
The first thing that pleases the eye and hand of a simple Russian girl, a mechanical gearbox. Yes, and sports, six -speed. The first and second programs are quite short, although on the second you can accelerate to 90 km/h. But the third and fourth are the most accelerated, and the fifth helps out in those cases when lazy once again change the position of the gearbox lever. The car is ready to touch quite sharply and at the same time on good straight, it can afford to smooth and long acceleration.

The 4-speed automatic in Peugeot (308 and 207) is far from the most successful unit. Sometimes too thoughtful and viscous, as if an Estonian from a joke. But RCZ received as a gift from Japan the latest 6-stp, rather nimble. But I like the usual mixer: sit for yourself and stumble when you want.

But with mechanics, here the restless on -board computer found a business. As soon as the car believes that the speed of the car and the number of engine speeds are not in the best proportion and, in his opinion, it is time, an arrow with up or down is immediately on the display, advising to change the transmission, or even two. The joy that progress has not yet gone further.

The car with pleasure responds to all actions. The gas is so gas: the turbine is connected almost imperceptibly, without a pronounced turboyam, and on the top version you can’t notice the slightest failure at all thanks to the gas distribution phase system and the degree of lifting of the inlet valves, which we have already mentioned at the beginning.

For the city, the capabilities of the 156-horsepower engine are more than enough and in order to start the first to start from the traffic light, while the rest are sleeping, and in order to go on free night prospectuses at cruising speed. Of course, there will always be those who are more powerful, but GT-R is not a panacea from all troubles

At the same time, the car is controlled perfectly: a small rotation of the steering wheel is quite enough to send it to the desired trajectory. A wide base and a low center of gravity guarantee it from lateral demolitions and too large errors when turning at high speeds. At the same time, hard suspension settings, on the one hand, help it better to feel the car, and on the other, they are guaranteed to leave all memory on your file part from the joints and irregularities.

The 200-horsepower version behaves in a completely different way than the basic one. This is a real lighter that provokes you to a much more sports and aggressive riding. It is no longer up to heels-spins and pink handbags: here I want to allow the car to show everything that it is capable of, and the leg itself presses on the gas.

The leg presses, and the ear rejoices. But here the French remained true to themselves: the RCZ is equipped with a special acoustic system of the Sound Systeme engine, which allows you to emphasize the sound of the engine through a dust filter hatch in the cabin, and even change its timbre. Of course, you will not get a characteristic sound of an opposite engine, but it is possible to encourage yourself with a completely uterine aspiring.

By the way, the top version is so far equipped only by a mechanical checkpoint, and this even more inspires us to exploits. Well, new brakes that also take into account the thirst for exploits: the front brake mechanisms are equipped with increased ventilated disks with a diameter of 340 mm (Y 156-horsepower version of 302 mm) with a thickness of 26 mm. The dimensions of the rear brake discs: 290x12 mm.

Speaking of exploits

A couple of words about security
In addition to two frontal airbags, the compartment is equipped with two side pillows that ensure the safety of the ribs and the pelvis. The doors, the rear racks are reinforced, and a special additional damper is installed at the trunk threshold, designed to take all the impact of impact.

It is also interesting how the problem of pedestrians is solved in case of collision. Two pyropatrons were installed on the sides of the hood, which, in the case of a frontal blow, lift the hood by 55 mm. This allows not only to minimize the injuries of a pedestrian, but also to reduce internal possible damage to the motor compartment.


Comparison of some technical characteristics of Peugeot RCZ and Peugeot 308
To improve the dynamic characteristics of Peugeot RCZ, the following changes were made to the design compared to the 308 hatchback:

- The road clearance is reduced by 18 mm in front and by 19 mm from behind.
- The center of gravity is lowered by more than 40 mm.
- the front track is increased by 44 mm, the rear by 63 mm.
- the diameter of the rear bearings is increased to 32 mm instead of 30 mm.
- the diameter of the front shock absorbers is increased to 22 mm instead of 20 mm.
- increased static and dynamic hardness of the body for twisting.
- Wheels of 18 and 19 inches are used.
- increased tire width (235 mm instead of 225 mm).
- A powerful electric pump (GEP) of the steering system was used, the sections of the elements of the steering drive were enlarged.

Source: Drom.ru