Sector: Coupe Price: £26,635 Fuel: 42.1mpg CO2: 155g/km

Following a very complementary facelift earlier this year, there’s a sense that perhaps Peugeot’s RCZ coupe is about to come into its own.

The original was slightly ahead of the curve when it launched four years ago. It was a first step towards a more stylish, upmarket direction for Peugeot, which has since paved the way for the chic 208, Germanic 508 and the chiselled new 308 due later this year.

In recent months the 208 GTI has, justifiably, been soaking up a little of the RCZ’s sporty spotlight, and it’s a perfect stablemate for the coupe. So Peugeot has moved the RCZ on a stage, and there’s a 267bhp R version arriving later this year with the Renaultsport Megane firmly in its sights.

The smaller floating grille and blade-shaped inlet take the RCZ into much classier territory than before. Spend a few days behind the wheel and, while it’s not a new design, there isn’t an angle of the coupe’s muscular bodywork – particularly that curvaceous ‘double bubble’ rear screen – which doesn’t attract attention, and the new front end finishes it off perfectly.

Inside, the RCZ does a convincing job of hiding its 308 origins. The triple-vented dashboard is shared between the two cars, but is barely recognisable trimmed in soft, stitched leather and with a diving watch-style clock in the centre. Nothing’s changed with the facelift, but those sports seats, lashings of brushed aluminium and embossed cowhide wouldn’t feel out of place in a much more expensive car.

It’s also quite practical. The boot is huge, albeit not ideal for taller boxes, and the rear bench folds flat should the need arise. But consider this a two-seater with space to take rear passengers short distances. Access to the back is a squeeze at best, and bumpy roads mean frequent contact between heads and the rear edge of the headlining.

Until the RCZ R arrives later this year, engine choices comprise a 2.0-litre diesel at 139g/km CO2, and 1.6-litre turbocharged petrols with 155 or 200bhp and either 148 or 155g/km CO2 respectively. Demand tends to be top-heavy in the UK, with 80% of buyers opting for the GT version – a sensible move as it includes 19-inch wheels, a smaller steering wheel and sports gearknob as further separation from the 308.

None of the engines disappoint as a driver’s car. The RCZ has swelled 44mm and 63mm in front and rear track compared to the 308, and with a sharp steering setup and flat cornering it feels every bit as sporty as the styling suggests it should.

But the 200bhp petrol takes this a step further. Equipped with the GT’s sportier additions out of the box, it gains a stiffening front brace bar to aid stability and the 50kg weight loss from the lighter engine is noticeable under every change in direction. Efficiency of 42mpg seems achievable, provided you can resist the boundlessly energetic source of power under the bonnet. It’s a thoroughly entertaining car to drive, but the enhanced exhaust note and slightly over-responsive throttle are both acquired tastes.

It doesn’t have the badge caché of a Scirocco or TT, nor does it have the outright performance of a Renaultsport Megane as yet, but with a red-blooded stablemate to up its profile there’s never been a better time to consider Peugeot’s sportiest model.

Verdict:

Considering its close family ties to the worthy 308, there’s a lot about the RCZ which really gets under the skin. It’s a genuine head-turner, great to drive and even its most potent engines achieve palatable fuel economy with a little restraint. Unless you need space in the back, there’s a lot to love here. 

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