31-07-2007
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.
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
benefits.
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
fi ttings 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
effi ciency.
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...
Text and photos courtesy of Automobiles Peugeot
