2011 Peugeot RCZ Sports Coupe Launched In Malaysia From RM219K

The 2011 Peugeot RCZ sports coupe has been launched in Malaysia. Fully imported by official Peugeot distributor Nasim, the 2+2 RCZ coupe is priced at RM 218,888 for the lower-powered 1.6 automatic variant and RM 223,888 for the range-topping 1.6 manual variant (OTR prices with insurance). These prices significantly undercut the Audi TT, the car against which the RCZ is said to be benchmarked.

Voted The Most Beautiful Car of the Year at the 25th International Automobile Festival, the RCZ possesses a complex body shape which most mass-market automakers would have preferred to shy away from. Peugeot, to its credit, did not, creating a dynamic-looking sports coupe that features the familiar Peugeot grille, prominent wheel arches, a double-bubble roof, and a rear windscreen flanked by two aluminium arches.

The RCZ is powered by two versions of the 1.6-litre twin-scroll turbocharged, direct-injected BMW-PSA Prince engine with variable valve timing. The lower-powered version has 156 hp at 6000 rpm and 240 Nm at 1400 rpm; the more powerful version gets variable valve lift which increases the output to 200 hp at 5500 rpm and 275 Nm at 1700 rpm.

The lower-powered RCZ uses a six-speed automatic gearbox with Tiptronic and Sport mode, and takes 8.4 seconds for the century sprint before topping out at 213 km/h. Equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox, the more powerful RCZ is expectedly faster, requiring 7.5 seconds for the 0-100 km/h dash and reaching a maximum of 237 km/h.

To deliver the sporty handling to match its looks, the RCZ is based on the same front-wheel-drive platform as the Peugeot 308 hatchback, and uses an electro-hydraulic power steering, along with front ventilated discs and rear solid discs for the stopping power. The more powerful RCZ is equipped with larger front ventilated discs.

While only available in two colours, Pearlescent White or Haria Grey, the RCZ comes with a long equipment list, which includes 19" aluminium alloys, dynamic xenon headlamps, dynamic two-level retractable rear wing, sensor-activated headlamps and wipers, dual-zone automatic climate control, Nappa leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, Bluetooth connectivity, and 6-speaker/240-watt JBL Hi-Fi audio system.

Only the more expensive RCZ gets a smaller-sized steering wheel, bigger instrument display and engine acoustics for an entertaining driving experience. Safety equipment comprises four airbags, braking controls (ABS/EBD/EBA), traction control and stability control. Also standard is an active bonnet system that serves to protect pedestrians in the event of a frontal collision through the raising of the bonnet's hinges by 55 mm in 0.1 second. Enjoy the official photo gallery of the 2011 Peugeot RCZ below!