Peugeot RCZ

Peugeot RCZ: Which Version Should You Buy?

The Peugeot RCZ choice depends on whether you prioritize acceleration, fuel consumption, transmission type, or lower kerb weight. The model is a Coupe offered in one generation, first from 2010 to 2013 and then in restyled form from 2013 to 2015. The original range contains four versions, while the restyled range expands to six.

The Peugeot RCZ choice depends on whether you prioritize acceleration, fuel consumption, transmission type, or lower kerb weight. The model is a Coupe offered in one generation, first from 2010 to 2013 and then in restyled form from 2013 to 2015. The original range contains four versions, while the restyled range expands to six. All versions have FWD, a front transverse Turbo engine, four Inline cylinders, four valves per cylinder, and a six-speed gearbox. The standout is the restyled 1.6 MT with 270 hp: it reaches 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds and 250 km/h. For lower measured consumption, the restyled 2.0 MT Diesel records 5.3 l/100 km combined. Buyers who require an Automatic are limited to 1.6 AT versions.

Peugeot RCZ generations: which one offers the better choice?

The original Peugeot RCZ generation ran from April 2010 through January 2013 as a Coupe with four versions. Its Gasoline selection comprises 1.6 MT with 156 hp, 1.6 AT with 156 hp, and 1.6 MT with 200 hp. The Diesel alternative is 2.0 MT with 161 hp. This range provides both Manual and Automatic choices, but the Automatic is available only with the 156 hp Gasoline engine.

The restyled first generation ran from January 2013 through December 2015, remaining a Coupe while increasing the range to six versions. It includes 1.6 AT with 150 hp, 1.6 MT with 156 hp, 1.6 MT with 200 hp, 1.6 MT with 270 hp, 2.0 MT with 163 hp, and 1.6 AT with 156 hp. Compared with the original range, the restyling adds the 270 hp performance version and a second Automatic specification. The Diesel 2.0 MT also rises from 161 to 163 hp, while its listed acceleration changes from 8.2 to 8.7 seconds and top speed from 220 to 225 km/h.

Peugeot RCZ engine specs compared

Because several cars share the same database version name, power and production period are essential identifiers. In particular, “1.6 MT” can mean a 156 hp, 200 hp, or 270 hp car, while the restyled “1.6 AT” can have either 150 or 156 hp.

The 1598 cc engine spans a particularly wide output range. The restyled 1.6 MT with 270 hp produces about 169 hp per litre, versus about 125 hp per litre for either 200 hp 1.6 MT and about 98 hp per litre for either 156 hp 1.6 version. The 270 hp version therefore adds 70 hp and 55 Nm over the 200 hp 1.6 MT without increasing displacement.

For torque, both 2.0 MT Diesel versions lead with 340 Nm, which is 10 Nm more than the 270 hp 1.6 MT and 100 Nm more than the 150 or 156 hp 1.6 versions. The Diesel reaches its listed 340 Nm at 2000 rpm. The restyled 270 hp 1.6 MT supplies 330 Nm across 1900–5500 rpm, while the 200 hp 1.6 MT provides 275 Nm across 1700–4500 rpm.

Peugeot RCZ performance and fuel consumption

The restyled 1.6 MT with 270 hp is the clear performance choice. It is 1.6 seconds quicker to 100 km/h than either 200 hp 1.6 MT and has a top speed 10 km/h above the restyled 200 hp version. Its consumption figures are not measured, so the available data cannot establish its economy.

Among versions with measured consumption, the restyled 2.0 MT Diesel has the lowest figures: 6.8 l/100 km city, 4.5 l/100 km highway, and 5.3 l/100 km combined. Its combined result is 1.4 l/100 km below the 156 hp 1.6 MT and 1.6 l/100 km below the 200 hp 1.6 MT.

For Gasoline models, the 156 hp 1.6 MT is the economy-oriented Manual choice at 6.7 l/100 km combined. The 200 hp 1.6 MT uses only 0.2 l/100 km more combined but provides 44 additional hp, reaches 100 km/h 0.5 seconds sooner, and raises top speed by 20 km/h in the original car or 23 km/h after restyling.

Transmission makes a measurable difference between the original 156 hp cars. The 1.6 MT reaches 100 km/h in 8.0 seconds and consumes 6.7 l/100 km combined; the 1.6 AT needs 9.0 seconds and consumes 7.3 l/100 km. In the restyled range, the 156 hp 1.6 AT closes the acceleration gap to 0.4 seconds but still uses 0.6 l/100 km more combined than the 156 hp 1.6 MT.

Peugeot RCZ weight, ground clearance, tank and wheel sizes

The best power-to-weight result belongs to the restyled 270 hp 1.6 MT, at about 4.7 kg per hp. Either 200 hp 1.6 MT is about 6.5 kg per hp, while a 1275 kg, 156 hp 1.6 MT is about 8.2 kg per hp. The 270 hp car is also 17 kg lighter than either 200 hp version despite its 70 hp advantage.

The 140 mm ground-clearance versions are the original 2.0 MT, restyled 2.0 MT, and restyled 156 hp 1.6 MT. Most alternatives provide 130 mm, while the 270 hp 1.6 MT has 131 mm. Every version has a 55 l tank. Wheel sizes, exterior dimensions, boot dimensions, length, and weight distribution are not measured in the supplied data.

Which Peugeot RCZ version should you choose?

Choose the restyled 1.6 MT with 270 hp when acceleration and power-to-weight ratio matter most. Its 5.9-second sprint, 250 km/h top speed, 330 Nm output, and approximately 4.7 kg-per-hp figure are unmatched here. Fuel consumption is not measured, however, and it is available only with a 6-speed Manual.

Choose either 200 hp 1.6 MT for a strong balance of measured performance and Gasoline consumption. Both reach 100 km/h in 7.5 seconds and return 6.9 l/100 km combined. The restyled car raises top speed from 237 to 240 km/h without changing its listed 1297 kg kerb weight, 200 hp, or 275 Nm.

Choose the restyled 2.0 MT when measured economy and torque are the priorities. It combines the range’s lowest measured consumption—5.3 l/100 km—with 340 Nm, although its 8.7-second acceleration is slower than every Manual Gasoline version listed. The original 2.0 MT is 0.5 seconds quicker, but its consumption is not measured.

Choose the 156 hp 1.6 MT when you want the lowest measured Gasoline consumption. The same 8.0-second acceleration, 217 km/h top speed, and 6.7 l/100 km combined figure appear before and after restyling. The restyled version adds 10 mm of listed ground clearance, increasing it from 130 to 140 mm.

Choose a 1.6 AT only when Automatic transmission is the deciding requirement. Of the measured Automatic choices, the restyled 156 hp 1.6 AT has the quickest listed acceleration at 8.4 seconds while retaining 7.3 l/100 km combined consumption. The original 156 hp 1.6 AT shares that consumption figure but takes 9.0 seconds, while the restyled 150 hp 1.6 AT also takes 8.4 seconds but records the highest measured combined consumption at 8.0 l/100 km. No price or sale data is provided, so a value judgment based on purchase cost cannot be made.