Peugeot 308 RC Z Concept Revealed

Dreamlike efficiency

The final preparations are nearing completion for 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 recognizable identity.

Naturally the 308’s three and five door body styles are only part of the “T7� programme.

While some body styles are already confirmed 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 due to its semi-tall architecture with its promise of about cars.

Nevertheless, their ideas sometimes come together to give life to even the most fantastic ideas. In such cases their dreams finally 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 efficient 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 coupe, 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 aluminum 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 fiber body parts.

Using the 308 as a blueprint offered a number of benefits. 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 coupe;

• to capitalize 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 flowing design of the fascia panel).

Its taut lines and streamlined design ensure an efficient aerodynamic specification (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

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 flow upwards back over the bonnet and into the two polished aluminum roll-over protections bars. This flowing “V� profile gives the vehicle its shape and creates an impression of movement in all positions.

Visually, the fluidity of the design is further enhanced by the way the large tinted front windscreen, the carbon fiber 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 profile with its prominent front wings, deeply sculpted sides, and particularly generous rear wings. The doors raise the visual profile, creating a link between the sloping front design and the curvaceous rear design.

The end result, firmly sitting on 19 inch wheels, suggests power, strength and dynamism, like an animal ready to pounce.

The specific 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 efficiency. The design of the tailgate assists the airflow over the rear of the vehicle, while the shape of the rear of the vehicle provides sufficient 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 center of the tailgate, and is back lit at night. In addition, simply by pressing the lion badge, opens the tailgate. The rear lights are mounted flush with the car’s wide rear wings. Fitted with light emitting diodes (LEDs), they have a ruby red finish combined with a stylized 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 sufficient space for the storage of a spare wheel.

The rich metallic grey exterior body color is created by a special process using finely 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.