Pug green lights 308 RC Z concept for production

Newswheel staff :: 29 April 2008 :: Filed under Coupe, Peugeot, Peugeot 308

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Interesting form. What about the function?

With an interior straight out of the 308 hatch and a generally production-ready vibe, we always had a feeling Peugeot was being a rather coy by calling the RC Z a concept. Sure enough, Pug has confirmed this dramatic-looking coupe will hit show rooms in 2010…

We’ll have to wait until the final production car is unveiled at the Frankfurt show next year to find out just how much is lost in transition twixt concept and full production. Peugeot has promised to keep the appeal and excitement of the concept car alive. However, we wouldn’t be altogether surprised to see details such as the carbon roof and double-bubble rear screen disappear.

As for tech specs, the RC Z is based on the competent but hardly world-beating 308 platform. That means a thoroughly conventional front-drive layout along with strut 'n torsion-bar suspension. Not exactly a classic recipe for a sporting coupe.

Still, power will come from the peppy 1.6l turbo unit shared with the latest BMW Mini. In the Mini it’s good for 173bhp in Cooper trim and a whisker over 200 ponies in the Works car. UK pricing is expected to start just south of £20k.