Peugeot Press Release:
Peugeot 308 RC Z - Dreamlike efficiency
The final preparations are nearing completion for
the arrival in a few weeks time on the European
market of the Peugeot 308.
A new compact hatchback destined for the medium car segment, it has many strengths that will appeal to a broad customer base, not least due to its semi-tall architecture with its promise of
greater interior space, its improved visibility and its brighter interior, but also its exemplary road holding, its range of high-performance engines, its high levels of safety and a number of design features which contribute to improving
on-board comfort and convenience inside the car. Finally, its aerodynamic shape and “feline” elegance give it a strong and immediately recognisable identity. Naturally the 308’s three and fi ve door body styles are only part of the “T7” programme.
While some body styles are already confi rmed and in development, some are still yet to be created and are currently only in the imagination of the designers and engineers who are so passionate about cars.
Nevertheless, their ideas sometimes come together to give life to even the most fantastic ideas. In such cases their dreams fi nally become reality, making way for part-real, part-fantasy automotive designs. The result of such ideas is the 308 RC Z concept car.
Brief
Their dream was to build a vehicle with a strong focus on driving pleasure and the associated emotions, a vehicle that was light and effi cient while at the same time environmentally friendly. The brief called for work in many different areas
all of which are of particular interest to Peugeot.
It also provided the source of inspiration for the
theme of the 4th Peugeot design competition
(P.L.E.A.S.E).
Architecture
The 308 RC Z concept car is a new Peugeot
interpretation of driving pleasure. The car is a
2+2 coupé, with true versatility and at the same time a style that is modern, original and well-balanced.
Attention initially focused on making the vehicle
as light as possible by the use of numerous
aluminium components, for example the two roll
over protection bars that separate the passenger
compartment and give shape to the exterior
styling, and the use of a polycarbonate rear
windscreen and a large number of carbon fi bre
body parts.
Using the 308 as a blueprint offered a number of
benefi ts. It made it possible:
- to adopt a particularly stylish front design;
- to share a large number of components
already developed for the hatchback, therefore
simplifying the production of this coupé;
- to capitalise on the hatchback’s strong points,
which become even more effective in the
308 RC Z concept car (for example, suspension
components, wheels, certain equipment items
and the fl owing design of the fascia panel).
Its taut lines and streamlined design ensure an
effi cient aerodynamic specifi cation (a SCx of just 0.65), improving performance, fuel consumption and therefore helping to protect the environment due to the reduced CO2 emissions.
With a length of 4.276 (same as the hatchback),
a width of 1.840 (25 mm more than the hatchback)
and a height of only 1.320 m, the proportions of the 308 RC Z concept car combines a very dynamic
design with a high level of road holding.
Style
Exterior styling
The particularly stylish design of the front of the 308 blends brilliantly with the proportions of this concept car.
The Peugeot “Lion” badge is mounted to what
can truthfully be called the «nose of the bonnet».
From here, the style lines fl ow upwards back over
the bonnet and into the two polished aluminium
roll-over protections bars. This fl owing «V»
profi le gives the vehicle its shape and creates an impression of movement in all positions.
Visually, the fl uidity of the design is further
enhanced by the way the large tinted front
windscreen, the carbon fi bre roof panel and the
polycarbonate tinted rear window are combined
together.
The “feline-like” front headlights extend along the line of the bonnet. They contain four «cylindrical lights» each which create a bright and piercing beam of light. These “cylindrical lights” are clearly
visible due to the clear glass headlamp lenses.
The lower front panel differs from that of the
308 hatchback. It has a sharper and sportier
shape with a single air intake and integral front
fog lamps, while the front grille features chrome
detailing.
From the side, the vehicle displays a strong
profi le with its prominent front wings, deeply
sculpted sides, and particularly generous rear
wings. The doors raise the visual profi le, creating a link between the sloping front design and the curvaceous rear design.
The end result, fi rmly sitting on 19 inch wheels,
suggests power, strength and dynamism, like an
animal ready to pounce.
The specifi c shape of the rear window required
the use of polycarbonate instead of glass.
The two curved sections emerging from the
roof give the vehicle an original appearance and
contribute greatly to its aerodynamic effi ciency.
The design of the tailgate assists the airfl ow over the rear of the vehicle, while the shape of the rear of the vehicle provides suffi cient down force onto the rear suspension to eliminate the need for a rear spoiler, thereby preserving the purity of the vehicle’s lines.
The Peugeot Lion badge is displayed in a
U shaped panel in the centre of the tailgate, and
is backlit at night. In addition, simply by pressing the lion badge, opens the tailgate.
The rear lights are mounted fl ush with the car’s
wide rear wings. Fitted with light emitting diodes
(LEDs), they have a ruby red fi nish combined with
a stylised translucent section which contains the
direction indicator.
Two centrally mounted exhaust pipes are
integrated into the wraparound lower rear panel.
To achieve this, the rear exhaust silencer has
been located in a transverse position where it
also serves as an aerodynamic diffuser, but still
allows suffi cient space for the storage of a spare wheel.
The rich metallic grey exterior body colour is
created by a special process using fi nely milled
metallic particles. This gives the impression that
the vehicle has been formed from a single block
of metal, enhancing the purity of the car’s lines
and the styling of the bodywork to remarkable
effect.
The interior
The fascia panel in 308 RC Z concept car has been
taken directly from the hatchback. A pure, elegant
and fl uid design, it allows a particularly clear view of the outside thanks to its sloping design which complements the vehicle’s large front windscreen.
It offers a high level of interior brightness, improved visibility and an overwhelming feeling of space.
Refl ecting the hatchback, no effort has been
spared in terms of the fi nishing touches and
meticulous attention to comfort and convenience
inside the car. This is evident in the care given to the styling of each component and the quality of materials used, both in terms of visual appearance and tactile appeal.
The entire fascia panel is trimmed in leather, while the use of chrome, aluminium and black lacquered fittings creates a sporty, upmarket impression.
With this in mind, a Bell&Ross® clock has been
placed in the centre of the fascia panel, between
two air vents, its typography perfectly matching
the background of the instrument panel located
in the driver’s line of sight.
Another sign of the vehicle’s exclusive nature
are the bucket type front seats with polished
aluminium eyelets, the style of which is also
refl ected in the design of the inner door panels.
The ergonomically designed driver’s seat ensures
the driver is fi rmly in control of the vehicle.
At the rear there are two occasional seats
trimmed in leather, both of which can be folded.
The vehicle therefore offers real modularity and
great versatility. For example, enough space can
be created behind the front seats to house a set
of golf clubs. Similarly, the length and maximum
available boot volume can even accommodate a
mountain bike!
The engine
The 308 RC Z concept car is powered by a
1.6 litre THP engine developed from the EP6DTS
engine designed and developed via the collaboration between PSA Peugeot Citroën and
the BMW Group, where it is fi tted to the 207 RC,
with a power output of 128 kW (≈175 bhp).
However, the 1.6 litre THP engine, as a result
of new engine management software specially
developed for the concept car, now produces
a maximum power of 160 kW (≈218 bhp).
It is characterised by incredible fl exibility, thanks to its maximum torque of 280 Nm produced at a low engine speed (300 Nm in overboost). These
values ensure remarkable responsiveness under
all driving conditions.
Its innovative Twin-Scroll turbocharger optimally
pairs the exhaust gases fl owing from two cylinders to ensure maximum fl ow onto the turbine, while its high-pressure direct petrol injection system improves combustion and overall engine efficiency.
The engine is coupled with an entirely new
6 speed manual gearbox.
This unit helps to give the 308 RC Z a particularly effi cient compromise between performance and fuel consumption. For example, its maximum speed of 235 km/h is attained in sixth gear and it takes only 7.0 seconds to go from 0 to 100 km/h. In gear acceleration is impressive: only 7.5 seconds in 5th gear from 80 to 120 km/h. At the same time, fuel consumption is very reasonable with 6.7 litres/100 km in the combined cycle, or just 160 g/km of CO2 emissions.
Wheels and suspension
In the tradition of Peugeot concept cars there
is a linked front suspension employing the
widespread use of aluminium to reduce the
vehicle’s overall weight.
This set up ensures exceptional road holding,
excellent steering accuracy and great feedback
intensifying the overall driving sensation.
The rear suspension, derived from the hatchback,
consists of a torsion-beam, two rear suspension
arms and an integral anti-roll bar. It has been
specially modifi ed to take account of the wider vehicle tracks. Indeed the front and rear tracks
have been increased by 59 mm compared to the
hatchback, and also the fi tment of wider tyres,
ensures maximum body rigidity, precision and
vehicle stability.
Braking relies on large (360 mm) diameter
ventilated discs at the front with four piston
calipers.
Polished split rim 19’’ alloy wheels are fi tted with Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 245/40 R19 tyres.
Safety
Even for a unique model, Peugeot’s designers do
everything they can to make their dreams become
a reality and leave nothing to chance. Safety is
also made a top priority.
While the exceptional road holding of the
308 RC Z concept car forms the basis of its
primary safety, it is supplemented by safety
equipment borrowed from the 308 hatchback,
Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) and
the directional bi-Xenon headlamps.
Similarly, in terms of secondary safety, the
308 RC Z uses the same impact protection
structures, in particular the three impact
absorption structures at the front, designed to
provide a rigid structure which can deform in a
controlled manner, maximising the absorption of
impact forces.
Finally, tertiary safety is assured by the «Peugeot Emergency» service linked to the vehicle’s RT4 telematics system. This pinpoints the vehicle’s location and triggers the dispatch of appropriate assistance as required.
Like all concept cars, the 308 RC Z is an amazing
laboratory of ideas making it possible to design
and test new concepts and pioneer technical and
styling ideas free from the constraints of volume
production.
To a greater or lesser extent, these unique cars
often serve as the source of inspiration for future production vehicles.
They are a sort of «guide» to the Peugeots of the
future, indicating a chosen path to be followed.
Concept cars are like the stars, they serve as
a guiding light. Even though they sometimes
appear too far away to grasp, it sometimes feels
as though all it would take is an outstretched
arm...
ENGINE EP6DTS-Euro 4
- Capacity (cm3) 1598
- Maximum power kW (bhp) 160 (218)
- Maximum torque (Nm) 280-300*
TYRES
- Type Michelin Pilot Sport
- Dimensions PS2 245/40 R19
TRANSMISSION
- 6 speed manual gearbox
PERFORMANCE (driver only) (s)
- 0 to 1000 m 27,0
- 0 to 100 km/h 7,0
- 80 to 120 km/h in 5th gear 7,5
- 80 to 120 km/h in 6th gear 9,5
- Maximum speed (km/h) 235
CONSUMPTION (litres/100 km)
COMBINED 6,7
CO2 (g/km) 160
BRAKING - Brembo
- Disc diameter (mm) 360
DIMENSIONS (m)
- Overall length 4,276
- Overall body width 1,840
- Kerb height - with full tanks 1,320
- Wheelbase 2,608
- Front/rear overhang 0,926 / 0,742
- Front/rear track 1580 / 1580
- Boot capacity in litres of water 415
- KERB WEIGHT with full tanks (kg) 1200
- SCx Drag area (m2) 0,65