Two RC concepts for Peugeot

21 February 2002: Peugeot is exhibiting two ‘RC’ concept cars at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. These 2+2 coupés both feature vast, long and steeply raked windscreens, and have a distinctly feline look with a clear family resemblance to the current generation of Peugeot road cars.

The ‘RCs’ have been built from materials more commonly used in F1 racing cars. Carbon fibre is pre-impregnated directly onto honeycomb panels to form the body shell, with a roll-over bar manufactured from high-tensile steel.

Distinctive red and black colour schemes and leather trim and upholstery, along with stainless steel and aluminium detailing. The leather-upholstered carbon fibre bucket seats have motor racing-style harness seatbelts.

The RC Spades is powered by a 16-valve 2.0-litre, 180 bhp petrol engine, and the RC Diamonds is equipped with a 16-valve 2.2-litre, 175 bhp HDi diesel unit, with a particulate emission filter. Each has a theoretical 0-62 mph time of just six seconds, and a top speed of 143 mph.

Both cars are equipped with a 6-speed electro-hydraulic manual gearbox with hydraulically controlled gear selection and gear change operated via a sequential control lever on the central transmission tunnel, and up and down shift buttons on the steering wheel.

February 2002