Peugeot 308 RC Z – getting close

Peugeot 308 RC-Z caught testing (click for bigger picture)

The 308 RC-Z is based on the same platform as the 308 and the Citroen C4 (which also underpins the new Citroen DS3). Power is likely to come from a choice of 1.6 litre turbos – 220bhp or 150bhp. Also likely to be on offer is an oil-burner.

When the 308 RC-Z first surfaced it was considered to be a likely competitor for the Audi TT. But that was the old Audi TT (which is quite similar looking to the RC-Z), and Audi has moved on since then with the launch of the new Audi TT. Will Peugeot find it easy to compete with the RC-Z? It’s hard to say, but talk is of a starting price of around £20k, which would give it a chance.

This is all part of PSA’s shift in market focus, with Citroen heading upmarket with the DS range, and Peugeot looking to strike a sport note on the back of its Le Mans prowess, it marks a subtle divergence of the brands. Which is no bad thing.

If things go as we expect you should see the Peugeot 308 RC-Z turning up at Frankfurt in September, and in  showrooms early in 2010.

By Cars UK