And one of the most gorgeous too. With 270 horsepower, a six-speed manual and a Torsen differential, this is one French car America would love to have.
We keep telling French carmakers that they should get back to the US, and the Peugeot RCZ R is another product pointing at that direction. It's an Audi TT that isn't an Audi TT, and it looks fantastic. The recipe is the following:
The 1.6-liter engine's block has been reinforced by a specific heat treatment prior to machining to improve durability. It has forged pistons with a compression ratio of 9.2:1, developed by Mahle Motorsport which use an F1 grade of aluminum. The con rods have also been engineered to withstand continued use at high engine speeds and the uprated bearings are covered with a polymer coating that can withstand higher cylinder pressures.
It has a larger intercooler and a new twin-scroll turbocharger, linked to a new exhaust system. All that equals to 270 horsepower and 243 foot pounds of torque.
And what a big smile it has! Other reasons for that include a strengthened six-speed gearbox, upgraded clutch and a Torsen differential for cornering. The wheels are 19" wrapped in Goodyear Eagle F1 tires with four-piston brakes.
The tiny engine's maximum power is at 6,000rpm and maximum torque is available from 1,900rpm to 5,500rpm, giving the RCZ R a 0-62mph time of 5.9 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 155mph. The 70 extra horsepower compared to the regular RCZ means the new car is more than two seconds faster around the Nurburgring. Not that it matters.
Oh lá lá, or a failed omelette du fromage?
More info in the press release.