The most powerful Peugeot ever

Peugeot has released full details of their most powerful road car ever - the 270bhp RCZ R - and fans of the curvy coupe can get a close look at the racy new R variant at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this week.

Based on the top of the range RCZ THP 200 and developed by Peugeot Sport; the racing arm of Peugeot, the RCZ R enjoys a wealth of modifications to make it race track ready.

The 1.6-litre, 4-cylinder, turbocharged THP engine - which has recently won International Engine of the Year 2013, for the seventh year in succession - now produces an impressive 270bhp at 6000rpm, and 330Nm of torque from 1900rpm to 5500rpm. That s a lot of power and torque for such a small engine, while CO2 emissions sit at a very reasonable 145g/km and combined economy at 44.8mpg.

Lighter than any other RCZ - by at least 17kg - the 1280kg RCZ R has a power-to-weight ratio of 210.94 bhp / 1000kg. This power-plus-lightness means 62mph comes and goes in less than 6 seconds, while the top speed is limited to 155mph.

As well as the tuned engine, the RCZ R gets many special visual enhancements outside and inside. We see matt black roof arches, lowered-by-10mm suspension and special 19-inch, R monogram alloy wheels with Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 235/40 R19 tyres. Behind those attractive wheels are bigger, more powerful brakes, and rounding it all off is an extra large downforce-creating rear spoiler, and RCZ R body badging.

Inside, it s the best of the best for this halo car with new sports seats trimmed in a mix of full grain Nappa leather and black Alcantara, and branded with that monogram R again. Visible on the centre console is a chrome plate with a red R inscribed into a brushed aluminium plate with four visible screw fixings, another Peugeot Sport highlight inspired by aviation design.

The new Peugeot RCZ R will make its full public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, and will be on sale early in 2014.

Posted by Craig Salter