ест Kratek: Peugeot RCZ 1.6 THP VTi 200 Asphalt

Over and over again the story of what car manufacturers represent car conceptstriking with "rejected" design ideas. Later, when the same car hits the market, we'll only see the rough outlines of the concept, with half the size wheels, flat windows, and a pound less chrome or brushed aluminum.

At RCZ, the story is a little different.

The concept generated a lot of interest and approval, with everyone in the cabin ironing the curved rear window and admiring its shape. It was not difficult to decide to put such a car on Peugeot conveyor belts. As for the RCZ Asphalt, we can say that this is one of the few cars that drove almost unchanged from the drawing boards to the road.

Limited edition Asphalt counts 800 copies, of which five are reported to be on Slovenian roads. In fact, this is an advanced set of accessories. The more noticeable things that should set this RCZ apart from the regular one are the special matte gray finish and 19-inch black aluminum wheels.

When we picked up the car, we were warned that it is not recommended to wash it in automatic car washes, as the brushes can damage the delicate paint. On the other hand, we noticed that with this color, the dirt is much less noticeable.

The exclusivity continues inside

Above all due to black leather upholsterywhich is punctuated by striking aesthetic seams and asphalt emblems. The steering wheel is smaller, thicker, cut from the bottom and fits comfortably in the hand. Sits well, only the lateral grip is released a little when gravity starts to move sideways. Ask sits down only forcibly, since even a larger child seat cannot be installed, mainly due to the low position of the rear window. It is worth thinking about the advisability of buying a spare wheel of the original size, because it will be possible to drive it only in the trunk. And not under the bottom, but right between the trunk.

Asphalt equipment can only be purchased with the most powerful version

Asphalt is only available as 147 kW turbocharger... We have already tested such a motorized RCZ, so we will not stop there. It's a lovely, responsive engine that works great with a fairly accurate (which we're not even used to in Peugeot) six-speed gearbox. Because of the lower volume, the torque has to be achieved at slightly higher revs, but if the engine in combination with the exhaust system produced more resonant octaves, we would not complain either.

The invoice at the end looks like this: if all the accessories contained in the Asphalt package were “attached” to a regular RCZ, you would pay extra for the item. 10 thousands... But if you want the exclusivity that the Asphalt limited edition brings, would you pay more? No, actually less, so a good nine.

Exclusivity sometimes pays off.

Text and photo: Sasha Kapetanovich.

Peugeot RCZ 1.6 THP VTi 200 Asphalt

Basic data

Technical information

engine:	4-cylinder, 4-stroke, in-line, turbocharged, displacement 1.598 cm3, maximum power 147 kW (200 hp) at 5.600–6.800 rpm – maximum torque 275 Nm at 1.700–4.500 rpm.
Energy transfer:	front wheel drive engine - 6-speed manual transmission - tires 235/40 R 19 W (Continental ContiSportContact3).
Capacity:	237 km/h top speed - 0-100 km/h acceleration in 7,6 s - fuel consumption (ECE) 9,1/5,6/6,9 l/100 km, CO2 emissions 159 g/km.
Mass:	empty vehicle 1.297 kg - permissible gross weight 1.715 kg.
External dimensions:	length 4.287 mm – width 1.845 mm – height 1.359 mm – wheelbase 2.612 mm – trunk 321–639 55 l – fuel tank XNUMX l.

Our measurements

T = 14 ° C / p = 1.122 mbar / rel. vl. = 31% / odometer status: 5.215 km
Acceleration 0-100km:	7,6s
402m from the city:	15,5 years ( 148 km / h)
Flexibility 50-90km / h:	5,9 / 7,9s (IV/V)
Flexibility 80-120km / h:	6,4 / 9,9s (Sun./Fri.)
Maximum speed:	237km / h (WE.)
test consumption:	12,6 l / 100km
Braking distance at 100 km / h:	38,2m
AM table:	39m

evaluation

• The bill is simple: if you want the best-equipped RCZ, the Asphalt version is better, because in addition to the savings, you also get a touch of exclusivity.

We praise and reproach

appearance

gearbox precision

driving dynamics

fully switchable ESP

reversing inspection

emergency wheel installation

side seat grip

muffled engine sound