Peugeot Announces UK Prices for RCZ Coupe, Starts at £19,900, on Sale in Spring 2010

Even though we're still a week away from the first public appearance of Peugeot's sexy RCZ (for details and gallery, click here)at the Frankfurt Show and more than six months away from its market launch in the UK in Spring 2010, the French automaker has released pricing for the 2+2 coupe. The entry-level RCZ with the 156HP 1.6-liter turbocharged petrol and a manual gearbox starts start at an on-the-road price of £19,900 or £240 more than the VW Scirocco 160HP 1.4 TSI (£19,660).

The range-topping RCZ with the 200HP version of the 1.6L turbo is priced at £24,500 which is £980 less than the Audi TT Coupe 200HP 2.0 TSI. There's also a 2.0-liter HDi diesel with 163 horsepower that starts from £21,700.

The RCZ will be offered in two grades with the entry trim level including 18-inch alloy wheels, sports front seats, dual zone air-conditioning, folding rear seat, rear parking aid, deadlocks, selective access locking, alarm and immobilizer, four airbags, ESP, EBFD, EBA, ABS, double bubble rear screen, black roof panel, active rear spoiler and twin rear sports' exhaust.

The second trim level adds a leather interior, electric heated front seats, carpet mats, front parking aid, auto tilting (when reversing) door mirrors, automatic lights, follow-me-home lighting, automatic windscreen wipers, automatic exterior approach lighting, 19-inch alloy wheels.

Buyers can also further personalize their car with a range of options including different style 19-inch alloy wheels, carbon roof panel (gloss black), carbon roof panel (satin finish), integral leather, Peugeot connect media navigation 3D (NG4), xenon headlamps, directional lights, gloss black brake calipers, black roof arches, matt roof arches and JBL Hi Fi Pack.

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French-badged Mitsubishi i-MiEV electric car set for October 2010 debut

Mitsubishi and Peugeot have finalised its EV agreement where Mitsubishi will be supplying PSA Peugeot Citroen with an electric car for the European market based on the Mitsubishi i-MiEV. Both Citroen and Peugeot-badged vehicles will be available, and production will start in October 2010, with a launch happening shortly after.

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Peugeot iOn: one half of PSA’s rebadged Mitsubishi i-MiEV electric cars unveiled

Peugeot’s rebadged Mitsubishi i-MiEV didn’t turn out looking quite like what Theophilus Chin imagined it to be – the actual product doesn’t really stray far from its Mitsubishi looks. As for the name, the Peugeot branded car is going to be called the Peugoet iOn while the Citroen one has yet to be named.

Looking back at history, this is not Peugeot’s first electric car. In the mid-90s, there was actually an electric version of the Peugeot 106 for sale. It had a regular speedometer but the RPM meter was replaced by a dial showing the percentage of maximum power output being used. It had a top speed of 90km/h and went up to between 70km to 100km on a single charge.

The new iOn can go further – 130km on the European driving cycle on its lithium ion batteries. The iOn’s batteries can be charged in 6 hours using a regular 220V socket or up to 80% in 30 minutes via a fast charging system. It’s powered by a 64hp motor with 180Nm of torque.

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Peugeot to Reveal RCZ HYbrid4 and 3008 HYbrid4 Production Model in Frankfurt

Together with the production version of the impressive RCZ sports coupe, Peugeot's Frankfurt Show stand will also host the world premiere of the experimental RCZ HYbrid4 prototype and the 3008 HYbrid4 crossover in production form. As their moniker suggests, the two HYBrid4 models share the same hybrid drivetrain. It combines a 163-horsepower 2.0-liter diesel with stop and start that drives the front wheels and an electric motor with 27 HP and temporarily, 37 HP, that powers the rear wheels.

The hybrid system works in parallel allowing alternate, for maximum efficiency, or simultaneous, for increased performance, operation of the HDi diesel engine and the electric motor which can produce a combined maximum output of 200-horsepower.

The French automaker claims that the system can reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 35 per cent in the combined cycle, compared to conventional engines of an equivalent power output.

The 3008 HYbrid4 that is scheduled for launch in the spring of 2011 is said to return a combined fuel economy figure of 3.8 lt /100km or 61.9 mpg US with CO2 emissions of just 99g/km.

Depending on how well the 3008 HYbrid4 is received by the market, Peugeot may also introduce a production version of the RCZ HYbrid4.

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Peugeot RCZ Coupe Officially Revealed: Striking Audi TT Rival gets Petrol and Diesel Engines

Looks like the folks over at Peugeot couldn't wait for next month's Frankfurt Motor Show to fully reveal their latest creation, the all-new RCZ 2+2 sports coupe that is scheduled to go on sale across Europe in the spring of 2010. As the first full-blown photos of the new RCZ prove, Peugeot's designers stayed 99 percent faithful to the original concept car from the masculine wheel arches right up to its unique double bubble roof and rear windshield.

Overall, we'd say that the RCZ is not only the best looking Pug in recent years, but it also boasts one of the most attention-grabbing designs in the mainstream coupe segment since the presentation of the first-generation Audi TT.

And if that's not enough, Peugeot also offers customers the chance to further personalize the RCZ's appearance with a range of special options including a real carbon rooftop, roof arches in different colors (black chrome, satin finish), numerous 18- and 19-inch alloy wheels in several finishes (matt black, polished black, dark grey, diamante), black lacquered body parts at the front, carbon door mirror covers, bodywork detailing and more.

Inside, the RCZ can seat two adults up front while there's also what Peugeot describes as, two occasional seats at the rear, "fully sculpted and perfectly usable" that can be folded down to increase the standard boot capacity of 384 litres. Although the dashboard comes directly from the 308 hatch, Peugeot's designers spiced up the interior with the use of higher quality materials and unique trim options.

As you'd expect, there's a lot of 308 architecture under the skin of the RCZ which uses a revised version of the McPherson type front suspension and rear torsion beam. Compared to the so-called "Platform Two" vehicle, Peugeot says that the ride height of the RCZ has been lowered by 20mm and the centre of gravity by 40mm while the front track has been widened by 54mm and the rear track by 72mm.

The RCZ also gets a hydraulic power steering while braking power is provided by beefy discs all-around. All models will come with a Hill Assist system coupled as standard with ESP which can be turned off to fully exploit the car's capabilities.

At launch, the RCZ that will be built by Magna Steyr in Austria in a production centre that specialises in exclusive vehicles, will be offered with three powerplants all of which meet the Euro 5 standards. The most powerful engine is the 1.6-liter THP petrol unit boasting a twin-scroll turbocharger that pumps out 200 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 188 lb ft at 1,700rpm (or 203 lb ft with overboost) and is linked to a six-speed manual gearbox.

With this engine the RCZ accelerates from 50 to 75mph (80 km/h - 120 km/h) in 6.5 seconds in fifth gear and 0 to 62mph (100km/h) in 7.6 seconds. Fuel consumption in the combined cycle is 39.8mpg with UK or the equivalent 33.1 mpg US and 7.1 lt /100km with CO2 emission of less than 165g/km.

The second petrol option for the RCZ is the 1.6-liter turbocharged direct-injection engine coupled to a six-speed manual or automatic gearbox. The unit produces an output of 156-horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 177 lb ft of torque at 1,400 rpm with the French automaker announcing a combined fuel economy of 40.9 mpg UK (6.9 lt /100 km or 34.1 mpg US) for the manual gearbox model.

Last but not least is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo diesel engine matted to a six-speed manual gearbox. It delivers 163-horsepower at 3,750 rpm and a maximum torque of 251 lb ft at 2,000 rpm returning a combined fuel consumption of 52.3 mpg UK (5.4 lt /100km or 43.6 mpg US) with CO2 emissions of 139 g/km.

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New Peugeot 207 Economique with Aero Tweaks and Engine Mods Returns 61.8MPG - 3.8lt/100km

Sometimes, a few tweaks here, a few tweaks there, are more than enough to create an ultra fuel-efficient vehicle with extremely low emissions. Such is the case with the new Peugeot 207 Economique. First shown at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, the Economique is based on the recently facelifted 207 hatchback. It is powered by a 1.6-liter HDI diesel with 90HP that benefits from specially developed engine management software and the addition of an EGR heat exchanger to cool the re-injected exhaust gases.

Peugeot also fitted the Economique with a modified five-speed manual gearbox with a higher final drive ratio than the standard 207 hatchback while the supermini rides on low resistance Michelin 185/65R15 VLRR (Very low rolling resistance) tires.

Furthermore, Peugeot's engineers lowered the ride height by 5mm and added a special aerodynamic package that consists of a new lower bumper trim and deeper side extensions, optimized air intakes, under tray covers and special wheel trims plus a two-part rear spoiler. As a result, the 207 Economique has a drag coefficient of only 0.274, compared to the standard 207 HDi 90 hatchback of 0.30.

The French automaker claims that the 207 Economique returns an average fuel consumption of just 74.2mpg UK (61.8mpg US or 3.8lt/100km) with C02 emissions of 99g/km.

The new Peugeot 207 Economique will go on sale in the UK in October and will be available in two trim levels, Economique and Economique + with prices starting at £12,995.

[Source: Carscoop]

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2010 Peugeot 408 Sedan: New Renderings Based on Inside Info

These are the latest speculative renderings of Peugeot's 407 mid-size sedan replacement that is due to arrive in European showrooms sometime during the fourth quarter of 2010. The crew over at French car magazine L'Auto Journal told us that the computer generated images of the Peugeot 408 are based on inside information. As is always the case with these kind of stories, only time will tell how close the renderings are to reality.

What we do know for certain is that underneath the sheetmetal, the Peugeot 408 sedan will get the same platform and much of the mechanical hardware found in the well accepted Citroen C5.

Expect to see Peugeot's Ford Mondeo and Opel Insignia challenger to be offered with a wide choice of petrol and diesel engines, ranging from a 1.8-litre 127-horsepower petrol unit to the new 3.0-liter HDi V6 diesel that produces a healthy 240-horsepower.

[Source: Carscoop, Photos: Autojournal]

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Peugeot takes pole at 24 Hours of Le Mans for third straight year

It's mid-June and that means it's time for the 24 Hours of Le Mans again. If the past decade is anything to go by, the number one contenders will again be the factory Audis, which have won eight of the last nine races (all nine if you count the 2003 as the Audi it truly was). For the past two years, the big battle for overall glory has been between the diesel-powered Audi R10 and Peugeot 908, and this year looks to be no different aside from Audi having an all new car, the R15, still with TDI power.

While the Peugeots have shown superior speed the last two years, the Audis have had better reliability and pit work. This year, the R15s appear to have made up the speed deficit, and the Germans look set for victory again if the crew can keep them running. Unfortunately for Audi, the race won't start with one of its cars in the lead, as Stephane Sarrazin has once again captured the poll in his Peugeot 908 for a record third straight year. Alan McNish managed to qualify one of Audi's three R15s right behind Sarrazin, but the other two cars managed to qualify only sixth and seventh on the starting grid. Three other Peugeot 908s will start from third, fourth and fifth, respectively, which means diesel power penetrates all the way back to the fourth row on this year's starting grid.

For those interested in following Audi's progress this weekend, the automaker is following up up its Sebring Facebook coverage with even more social media stuff this weekend. You can find photos, videos and news at AudiR15TDI.com, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube. Our own Damon Lavrinc will also be reporting live from Le Mans this year, so keep an eye on Autoblog and make sure to follow our Twitter feed all weekend long.

[Sources: Yahoo Eurosport, Audi, AutoCar | Photo by Ker Robertson/Getty Images]

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Peugeot 408 Rendered - In a Kizashi Sort Of Way...

Even though the current Peugeot 407 isn't due for replacement until 2010, French car magazine L'Auto Journal has come up with a new set of renderings of the mid-size model's successor that will almost certainly be called 408. We must admit that, rabbit-tooth grille aside, the 408 shown in these scans looks pretty sharp. And why shouldn't it as the artist apparently used the Suzuki Kizashi 3 sport sedan concept that made a splash at last April's New York Auto Show as a canvas for the 408... -Continued

But come to think of it, after seeing that the Peugeot Kizashi looks quite good on paper, we'd like to propose an idea: since Suzuki seems to have outright diluted the Kizashi's styling on the forthcoming production version (click here for details) how about if Peugeot took the original concept and applied a little bit of magic to create the 408?

[Via: Forum Peugeot]

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Peugeot 3008 Crossover Spied without any Camouflage

Once again, the forthcoming Peugeot 3008 crossover that will debut at the Geneva motor show this March, has been caught completely undisguised. These photos, courtesy of the members over at 'Forum-Peugeot', reveal that little has changed from Peugeot's Prologue concept car that was unveiled at the Paris show last October. The compact crossover is based on the Peugeot 308 hatchback and it's supposed to combine the practicality of an MPV with off-road ability of an SUV. Just like its most apparent rival, the Nissan Qashqai, the 3008 will be offered in front-wheel and all-wheel drive versions.

Powertrain options will include naturally aspirated and turbocharged variants of the PSA - BMW Group co-developed 1.6-liter petrol engine as well as a wide range of HDi diesel powerplants. The 3008 is expected to hit European dealerships in the second half o 2009.

[Source: Forum-Peugeot , Via: Motorpasion]

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Peugeot’s Paris Show Prologue Hybrid Concept Previews 3008 Crossover

Described by Peugeot as a model that is ‘derived from the fusion of different worlds’, the Prologue concept is essentially the pre-production version of the French carmaker’s long awaited 3008 crossover. And by crossover Peugeot means that the Prologue concept borrows features from both SUV and minivan (MPV) vehicles. The end result is a rather weird blend that looks vaguer than a cornered politician’s speech and a far cry from the elegant and stylish propositions we’re used to seeing from Peugeot. -Continued

Other than its styling, the French automaker said that the Prologue concept car will boast a modular interior design and high-tech equipment along with a new generation hybrid powetrain that mates an internal combustion engine with an electric motor developing a total output of 200 HP. Crucially, the concept car can be powered entirely by electricity or petrol or a combination of both.

[Source: Carscoop]

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2009 Peugeot 3008 Crossover Scooped Completely Undisguised

When we first saw Peugeot's Prologue concept car at the Paris Auto Show in October we knew that the compact crossover was practically production ready. Apparently it was so good to go that Peugeot doesn't even care about covering the actual production model that was spotted by a reader of the Dutch car magazine Autoweek without a single trace of camouflage. Minus a few rings and bells like the absence of the aluminum exterior trim and the unadorned alloy wheels, the production model doesn't vary from the concept car we saw in Paris.

The compact crossover that will most probably be called 3008 (supposedly) combines features and elements from both SUV and minivan (MPV) vehicles. The new model will face competition in Europe from the likes of the Citroen C4 Picasso and the quite successful Nissan Qashqai.

Since it's based on the underpinnings of the Peugeot 308, expect to see naturally aspirated and turbocharged variants of the PSA - BMW Group co-developed 1.6-liter petrol engine as well as a wide range of HDi diesel powerplants when the vehicle goes on sale in Europe in the second half o 2009.

[Via: Autoweek.nl]

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2009 Peugeot 3008 Crossover Rendering

In its latest issue, French car magazine “Auto Plus” has a rendering of the Peugeot 3008 4x4 that’s expected to be introduced into the market sometime in 2009. The compact sized 3008 minivan will be based on the platform and mechanics of the Citroen C4 Picasso MPV and apart from the front-wheel-drive versions, Peugeot will also offer a 4x4 variant. As you can see in the rendering above, the 3008 4x4 will be distinguished by the higher road clearance and the protective cladding on the bumpers.

[ Via: Auto Plus ]

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Peugeot RC HYmotion4 Four-Door Coupe Hybrid Concept Gets 52MPG

Among the most impressive eco-friendly concept cars that made their debut by the dozens in Paris was the awkwardly named Peugeot RC HYmotion4. The innovative and rather sensual hybrid four-door coupe combines a rear-mounted, 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline engine (based on the same unit used in the Peugeot 207 RC and MINI Cooper) developing 218HP that powers the rear-wheels with a front-mounted 95HP electric motor that drives the front-wheels for an overall output of 313HP. -Continued

The electric motor is powered by lithium batteries which are recharged during both deceleration and braking. Unlike most other hybrid systems, the front and the rear power units in the Peugeot are not connected mechanically. Instead, the hybrid drivetrain is controlled automatically by electronics. According to the French automaker, the RC HYmotion4 can be driven either in electric or petrol engine mode only, or with both engines combined making possible a maximum output of 313HP.

Peugeot claims that the four-seater sedan can sprint from zero to 100 km/h (62mph) in a mere 4.4 sec, to 1,000m (0.62 miles) in 22.8 sec and on to a top speed of 295 km/h (183mph). And if that isn’t enough to warm you up, Peugeot says that the 4.716 meter long RC HYmotion4 consumes on average just 4.5 lt of fuel for every 100 km which translates to 52.3 mpg US.

Maybe sometime in the near future Peugeot will finally decide to make a premium sedan like the RC HYmotion4 that people will be interested in buying instead of wasting its time and money with ill-fated proposals like the 605 and 607.

[Source: Carscoop]

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