Peugeot RCZ Diesel - Drop Dead Gorgeous and incredible fuel efficiency
It doesn't seem long ago that driving a diesel meant not being able to talk to your passenger due to the extremely tank-like noise coming from the engine bay. You chose a diesel for one reason only and that was fuel economy. The caveat being (of many) that you had to wait a moment for the glow plugs to warm up before moving off (indicated by a new light on the dash letting you know when it is best to turn the key).
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In truth Diesels were never a choice for a lot of us. Understandably used on commercial vehicles, the practicality of driving what seemed like a car sounding like it's exhaust had permanently been removed, was low.
As years have gone by though, fuel efficiency has become paramount in our minds. No longer are we able to drive our cars for impulsive jaunts into the countryside. Many of us are conscious that it would be cheaper to stay at home. Many diesel vehicles of recent past have been family cars. Ones that focus on practicality over style. However this often means that whilst many drivers wish to have a stylish coupe they choose not to, due to huge fuel costs.
This has been a consideration for Peugeot and they have boldly taken the step to reveal their Diesel RCZ. Unlike the Diesels of yesteryear, you can turn the key and set off immediately, but you are also able to do it without deafening your neighbours.
The Peugeot RCZ has proved to be a popular modern coupe which has seen accolade after accolade crowned upon it. Auto Express hailed it as the Best Coupe in 2010 and Best Design award, beating the Audi TT and the sleek VW Scirocco. Fleet World magazine claimed the RCZ won Design of the Year and Most Beautiful Car of the Year in 2009. However, were you aware that Diesel Magazine bestowed the RCZ with the moniker "Sports Car of the Year" for two years running?
The Peugeot RCZ is available with the 2 litre HDi 163 Manual. It produces a low 139 CO2 g/km and provides a combined fuel consumption of 53.2mpg. Drive this car on the motorway over a long distance and you will get up to 62.7mpg. It comes with all the different options that you would expect from a normal RCZ and in seven distinctive colours: Opal white, Amber red, Mercury Grey, Charcoal, Nera black, Dolphin blue and Pearl white. The only model of RCZ that is excluded from having an HDi engine is the limited edition Asphalt.
The Performance of the HDi Peugeot RCZ is equally impressive as well. It is no slouch as the 163 BHp engine gets to 62mph from a standing start in 8.7 seconds. So is it possible to effectively have your cake and eat it? Diesel Magazine's James Folkard discovered for himself whether running a diesel Peugeot RCZ over a long period was a practical solution to fuel efficient coupe driving. Driving in rain, sun and even snow the RCZ was put through its paces.
During the extreme Christmas weather last year the RCZ "performed admirably", "finding the ice and white fluffy stuff much less of a challenge than many more suitable vehicles". Whilst being surprisingly practical during the winter months, the warm weather of May, gave Folkard the opportunity to push the handling of the RCZ. In fact during this time he notes that "during a day of summer sun beating down on the tarmac the smile the RCZ brought to my face says it all". With firm suspension, low profile tyres, wide stance and low centre of gravity, the RCZ proved to be equally as fun in a diesel format as it was as its petrol alternatives.
Folkard was sold on the idea that this type of sports coupe can effectively use a diesel engine. It is important to note that he did not once consider the cabin noise of the vehicle. This is very telling: the Peugeot RCZ managed to be so much fun, practical and incredibly styled, the fact that it was a diesel, was simply forgotten.
The Peugeot RCZ 2.0 163 HDi is available now and from only £23,045 on the road. Call Charters Peugeot on 0844 247 0815 to arrange a test drive or drop into your nearest showroom to discover how driving a coupe needn't be such a gas-guzzling adventure.