Peugeot lost its way over the past eight years.

Dull products saw customers desert the brand in droves – sales have more than halved from the 208,000 units registered in 2002.

But with the RCZ, company bosses believe they are entering a new era, one that puts Peugeot at the cutting edge of car design.

The RCZ is the first of Peugeot’s hors-serie models – a tag reserved for cars that offer something a bit more unusual to its volume products.

It’s unlikely to hit the fleet best-sellers’ list, but Peugeot expects a halo effect that will shine across its model line-up – vital as it enters a busy period of new car launches.

The RCZ is the first Peugeot in a long time that makes people look twice.

Face on, it retains the Peugeot family look but it’s the double-bubble roof that gives the car its character.

Peugeot will have to work hard to get its name on the list for user-choosers but the RCZ has the potential to do it.

It’s a genuine competitor to the TT, but status-chasing executives might still baulk at the Peugeot badge.

That reflects in the residuals value of 44% for the 2.0-litre diesel (three years/36,000 miles), behind the TT’s 48%. Running costs are 6.5ppm cheaper, however, at 31.42ppm.

Peugeot estimates 2,000 units in the RCZ’s first year but would not say what share would be company cars.

Both trim levels, Sport and GT, come well equipped as standard.

The RCZ will be launched in June with a choice of two engines, a 1.6-litre 156bhp petrol and 2.0-litre 163bhp diesel, offering CO2 emissions of 139g/km and 53.2mpg.

A sportier 200bhp 1.6-litre petrol will follow later in summer.

Prices start at £20,450. RV 44%.

To book a test drive with the latest Peugeot RCZ model, reserve your place at the Greener Company Car In Action today, for more information visit

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