Peugeot RCZ R (2013) first official pictures

Forget the 208 GTi: the Peugeot RCZ R is the Peugeot’s new performance flagship. The range-topping RCZ boasts a record-breaking 270bhp, and will hit 62mph in under 6sec. Peugeot expect UK models to cost over £30,000 when the RCZ R goes on sale here in the first quarter of 2014.

Peugeot claims the RCZ R’s engine is a new benchmark: no-one has ever squeezed 270bhp from a 1.6-litre four-cylinder road car before. The turbocharged engine is based on the motor used in the current RCZ THP200 (and Citroen and Mini models), but full of racing-derived hardware.

The pistons are forged from the same grade of aluminium as Formula One pistons, its conrods are strengthened and you get polymer-coated bearings exclusive to this car. The engine block itself is heat-treated to withstand higher stresses, while the RCZ R uses a twin-scroll turbocharger to deliver improved throttle response – the car offers maximum torque of 246lb ft from 1900rpm right through to 5500rpm.

Fortunately not: the chassis has been overhauled too to deal with Porsche Cayman levels of poke. The front-wheel drive RCZ R uses a Torsen torque-sensing front differential to transfer power across the front axle and quell understeer, just like a Ford Focus RS.

Peugeot has also widened the RCZ’s track, dropped its ride height by 10mm, and fitted wider Goodyear tyres mounted on 19in alloys. Despite the heavy-duty components, Peugeot’s chopped 17kg from the car’s overall weight: at 1280kg, the RCZ R is a handy 130kg lighter than its key rival, the (all-wheel drive) Audi TTS.

Aside from the spindly rims, there’s a fixed rear spoiler (it actually reduces lift, as rather than being a cosmetic frippery, says Peugeot) and painted brake calipers wearing ‘Peugeot Sport’ lettering. The hottest RCZ also gets ‘R’ badges front and rear, and new twin chromed exhausts.

There’s a pair of body-hugging leather/Alcantara sports seats up front, red stitching throughout, and a polished gearknob pinched from the Peugeot 208 GTi. It’ll sound sportier inside too, thanks to a re-tuned exhaust system that draws engine induction noise from the intake and amplifies it into the cockpit.

Audi’s 268bhp TTS coupe, which starts at £35,905, and the front-wheel drive VW Scirocco R, which asks £31,735 in return for ‘just’ 261bhp. Renault’s less stylish but more practical Megane RS costs far less at £25,255 in Cup spec, but has a meaner standard spec and slightly less power, at 265bhp.

The RCZ R should be cheaper to run though – Peugeot claims its 1.6-litre engine can return up to 44.1mpg and coughs out only 145g/km of CO2. None of its French or German rivals can top 40mpg – but does that matter in a balls-out performance car?

By Ollie Kew