260bhp Peugeot RCZ R debuts at Goodwood

Due to appear at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on 12th July, the new Peugeot RCZ R will be powered by the most potent version of BMW-PSA’s 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine, which last week won the ‘International Engine of the Year’ award in the 1.4-litre to 1.8-litre category.

Already fitted to a host of Peugeot, Citroen and BMW MINI vehicles (Cooper S), this new 260bhp version will become the most powerful production car in Peugeot’s history with over 160bhp/litre and CO2 emissions of just 155g/km.

It also promises a huge amount of fun, with a new more sporting suspension set-up, bespoke wheel design and a Torsen limited slip differential on the front wheels.

The new RCZ R is inspired by the three-times class-winning Nürburgring race car and Peugeot’s first win of the French Grand Prix, which was incidentally on the same day (12th July) 100 years ago. Already shown at the Paris and Geneva Motor Shows, the RCZ R will be appearing in its final road going form with two red RCZ Rs performing dynamically during the Festival of Speed weekend.

UK Peugeot 208 GTi Ambassador, Bradley Philpot – a finalist in the recent Nürburgring 24-hour race – will be driving one of the RCZ Rs at Goodwood ahead of the new model’s launch at the end of the year.

The 2013 Festival of Speed runs from 12-14 July. Tickets can be obtained from the Goodwood website or via the Goodwood Ticket Hotline on +44 (0)1243 755055.