Can the new FWD Peugeot RCZ-R beat the RWD Nissan 370z Nismo on track? Read our review here: bit.ly/1b3kIBX Subscribe to our RU-vid channel bit.ly/11Ad1j1 Subscribe to the mag subscribe.autoexpress.co.uk/yt
I'm surprised about the RCZ, I'd always assumed it was just for posing, but the R version here looks pretty good. Nice to hear a professional driver doing a comparison review without once using the word 'weapon' to describe a car too.
Amazing how this dude drives and talks while he's driving and actually saying what he is doing, and what are the specifications of the cars.. Born to do that.. Good job!
Usually don't like Autoexpress video reviews, but I have to give plus points to this reviewer describing very well the behavior of both these car's. He actually seems like a decent driver unlike some other reviewers who don't seem to push the car's quite as hard.
Congratulations Auto Express! I would never have thought of comparing these two cars and you rightly did so, in a quite interesting and informative video. Without even looking the stopwatch one can tell that the RCZ-R is fast. It is is really impressive and even more so now I have rewatched the match of the Megane RS vs Golf GTI you did recently. The RCZ-R is about one second faster than the Megane RS (for years the top-notch FWD sports coupe), and yet for the Megane the circuit was dry while for the RCZ-R it was damp. Hats off Peugeot Sport.
watched it again now, still very entertaining. Made me a bit proud too, I reckon I cannot be as fast as this gentleman, but enjoyable to see if you have the skill a RCZ R could keep up with such a popular RWD Nismo coupe:)
Nice review yet clutch seems a little sticky on the Peugeot which is a better car despite being FWD, as it's tuned like a race car yet with the magical touch only Peugeot can provide regarding comfort ride combined with unmatched agility.
The RCZ is an outstanding car, whichever one you choose. I'd personally take the 163 BHP diesel one. Fewer reliability issues, more MPG and very similar performance to the petrol 156 and 200 bhp models. I just want fun, at a low-price-point.
Great 'hands-on' review - sort I really enjoy - thanks AE. Amazing how far FWD cars have got!!! The old has to be RWD in order to be taken seriously is today so passe. Review also doesn't take into account running costs - that V6 is mighty thirsty!
Is this the same track used for the r34 and gtr battle? How would you think the Z and the Peugot would do on dry conditions? Massive difference in time compared to the GTRs
The back of this Peugeot seems quite wide but still it impresses by the way it follows the front of the car. Certainly, the guys at Peugeot Sport knows how to build driver's car with front wheel drive.
though I own a Nissan sedan, I would love to save up for the RCZ I fell in love with it when I saw the movie 3 Days to Kill. The lovely lady was driving the RCZ by the way. Peace everyone!
You have to keep in mind that the nissan is 6 YEARS old now and has been almost untouched in that time. On top of that the motor has its origins in 2001, 13 years.
peugeot under 1400kg vs nissan 1500kg on a track like this (using only 3 or 4 gear) that 100kg difference and the lack of traction due to wet road really make a hard time for the 370z. In the same matchup you can make the peugeot look slow if u take an alfa 4c or a lotus ;)
is not shame on nissan, the 370 is a great car. I would better say cheers for Peugeot, that finally after sooooo many mistakes they've learn how to make a good proper sports coupe that can match such great cars like the nismo
I like these videos. Chris Harris has his place but drifting can only be so entertaining and isn't all that informative. A bit of real commentary on affordable cars taken to the ragged edge makes a nice change. Keep it up.
RCZ could be good fun car if it be rwd, better then fwd hot hatches, but producing fwd sport car have no sense, same situation is with TT fwd. Better choice is hot hatch or sth cheap but rwd for fun.
A front wheel, turbo charged car is now an enthusiasts choice? How about you admit you're not a true driving enthusiast and you just like the peugot more, at least you won't sound like an idiot ;)
chillypacman How about you admit you know absolutely nothing about cars and never held a steering wheel in your hands? Maybe get to know hot hatchbacks a bit...once you get your license.
***** Heard about Renault Sport, Alpine or Peugeot Sport ? I'm not that chauvinist, but when I'm reading bullshit, I can't shut. Megane RS riding the Nurburgring faster than a Audi RS4, OOOOH WAIIIIIIT, how is it possible ? french cant make a good car
i don't agree with you... the nismo can offer the trill of RWD feeling, can drift, has a quite nice engine (even if it's a v6) and looks better imo. The peugeot is more sharp edge but i'll be more happy with a 370z nismo. The problem is that you can have a correctly tuned Nissan Silvia for half the price ...
lelegume1635 the rcz r can also be fun just turn off the ESC and lift off in a corner it is tail happy even though its FWD as you can see in the video...
I wonder how RCZ's engine will do in terms of long-term reliability. Its handling looks like a big success for Peugeot, but Nissan - despite its minor flaws - is still the winner for me because of the way it looks and sounds. And of course its RWD.
Very well I suppose as I own my 308 GTi BPS for 5th year now from new and I had 0 issues whatsoever. Same engine as in Rcz R. Very fun and quick car. Only 1205kg . don't know what's the weight of RCZ R tho..
@@ejdydmj1650 Hi, it's nice to get a reply on a 7 year old comment! Puts things in perspective. Glad the peugeot has been reliable for you. I ended up getting a 350Z a couple of years ago. My preference is N/A but because of that I have to deal with large fuel bills, probably not the case for you. And it's a bit heavy at ca. 1450kg. Drive safe!
@@krzych91krk yes pal car is absolutely amazing not a single issue. And it's tuned to 330bhp 470nm . Really quick car for 1,6l engine..but on the other hand people forget about the fact it's not random 1,6l engine..it's Forged engine from factory with MAHLE race pistons, track ready setup brakes 380mm Alcon, LSD Torsen and light weight so yeah it's pretty good on fuel too. I can achieve 500miles/tank if I wants to but let's be honest We don't keep these cars for fuel economy 😅 it's amazing weekend car . I got 2nd car for work and long journeys. 308 GT 2l HDI with pan roof so Great for family trips with little one 😅..big boot 470l and 850miles/full tank. Can't moan about that 😃..
so much sad people here...whether you like it or not...when Peugeot wants great cars are made...i find it kind of funny that some say that Peugeot was lost in the way...the other car is a Nissan a brand that was almost dead and the only car with some sail sucess in a long time was a MICRA!!!...saved by Renault...ups...a french company...ups again...PSA went for for the enviorement care and forgot the racing street cars...because in WRC the still dominates...and i'm looking forward for WTCC...
I think a better test would have the Scirocco R VS the Peugeot RCZ R now that is a test. The same as most people not really the biggest of either of these cars
Some guys commented they'd rather have a FRS because is has "more character".. Toyota all but admitted they copied the 370z - the made it lighter and more accessible (cheaper). I wonder if they copied the Z because it lacks character.
Shazy I've always seen Nissans as tuner cars as with most Japanese cars, u know decent sized coupes with high revving v6s that could be turbocharged to the masses and tuned so that it could spend its life on the track but instead are on the roads drifting in street races. A completely different culture to the heavy 6 litre, low reving, high horsepower v8s that the Americans produced which would be completely alien on a track but at home on the highway. -They are in no way equal-
come on, its not a muscle car anywhere, calling this car a muscle car is just like calling a porche 911 carrera with the same amount off horsepower but 200lbs lighter a muscle car and its not so i insist u should just stop insulting muscle cars, this is a sports car and always has been
I don't know the Nissan... it seems a nice car though. Anyway it's weird to see how some people "defend their brands" so furiously. :D I don't care about brands... To me...if it works is good. And.. i had the chance to drive that PUG... the car is amazing you idiots... just sit your asses on it. One thing is for sure... that thing is fast and very well balanced... and it won't brake you spine in two 10 miles after launch. :D Good work Peugeot!
The engines are tested to destruction by the manufactures, it sure can take that sort of punishment as thats what its built for. You have to remember that the 7k red line is there for a reason, a long with the rev limiter, both will keep the car in check and stop anything nasty happening to the engine :)
And, the 1.6 liter crappy FWD unreliable Peugeot, doesn't stand a chance against the mighty v6, 60 horsepower stronger Nismo 370z. Finally some proof for haters who can't seem to accept this era of small displacement fwd and awd race cars. The only cause for finishing 0.4 seconds behind, was the 60 horsepower the RCZ gave up. It was quicker in corners by far. How did that happen with the FWD crap? If it gets a remap to bridge the power gap, the RCZ will kill the 370z. The 370Z is a really nice car, but the time of nose heavy cars with large displacement engines is over. I guess they found a replacement for displacement. I truly hate people who hate on french cars.
First of all, tell me how many peugeot's there are in the USA? 2nd, the competition is TURBOED, which already sets it apart from any class than the Nissan, AND it's FWD, which is another class as well, so technically there's no comparison here. The Nissan still won and rightfully so. The peugeot might be cheaper to own, but how much will it cost to own one in the US? A lot more than the car costs, that's fr sure. Nissan wins in every espect. Was the proven winner anyway.
Well who cares about the USA? Peugeot has produced some of the best hot hatch backs ever, and the Nissan was the proven winner? Nope, actually the Peugeot was, you need to have a look on Autocar's facebook page to see the full results.
Well who cares about Peugeot? Obviously not many since theres not many around. That alone says something. And whether an inch or a mile, Nissan was the proven winner. Regardless, Nissan FTW, FWD can suck it.
Mike Smith Really? This is a limited edition car, they are only giving the UK 300 this year, and the standard RCZ is available around the world (with the exception of north america because Peugeot no longer provide dealerships there). As for the proven winner, you still have not checked their facebook page? they even say the Peugeot is the winner between the 2, 2.1ltrs less but a more responsive engine, isnt technology a beach (and the funny thing is, is that you will never get the chance to drive the RCZ R, oh well your loss). I would also look at what Peugeot (PSA group) run cars in (or have done in the past, F1, WRC, BTTC, Le Mans etc), more than Nissan if you think Peugeot are a small company that have done nothing.
Critique: No one can focus on driving talking that much making a power lap. This gives us, spectators, an amateur feel. Is it edited? He's really making a fast lap while talking that much? Either way, it's wrong.
in that power range its slightly more complicated to gauge a RWD vs FWD car, but I do not think the 370z is actually built more like a race car as that Peugeot can be simply because it's too heavy, it's more of a cruiser than a racer IMO.
Thirty thousand in pounds sterling? What's that, like forty, forty-five grand in dollars? You've gotta be out of your mind to blow that on a Peugeot...not that you could because they aren't imported, but still.
You obviously have no clue about car prices in Europe. 45,000 dollars in Europe will buy you a middle of the road small sedan with a 2.0l diesel engine.
***** Actually average European earns about the same money as average American. Both have about $45000 GDP per capita average. But cars in USA are MUCH cheaper than in Europe. For example, in USA you can buy a BMW M3 fully loaded for the same money that you need to buy almost a base model 2.0l diesel 3 series in Europe. Thats why 40000€ for the Peugeot RCZ is not that much. Considering the performance, all the racing derived components it has in the chassis and drive train, design, quality, interior (which is all covered in very expensive materials, fully covered in leather EVERYWHERE, which is not even an option in some rival cars), its not that much. An Audi TT with similar power and equipment (even though not even the TT-RS matches the performance of the RCZR on track) will cost about 15000 euros more. And it wont drive better, it wont be faster, definitely wont be nicer to sit in or more comfortable, and it wont be more reliable either, since the days of french cars being unreliable are long gone. Even the germans are aware of that nowadays. RCZ is an all around excellent car. It looks weird, but there's no denying that its a very well engineered and put together machine. If it had a different badge on, it would cost a lot more and people would not complain just based on its performance. Remember, this is a car that's faster on Nurburgring than BMW 1M, TT-RS, Golf R32, 370Z, Cayman, Boxter, etc. All much more expensive cars.
derbigpr500 yup a hell of a lot cheaper for cars in the USA. if your cars (mustangs, chevvy's camero's etc) came over here in right hand drive at the price they are charged for in america they would sell like hot cakes. so many people want fun cars here (even if they pretend to car about mpg) but they are all so expensive. even your cheaper muscle cars to have them imported end up costing the same as an semi loaded german saloon. it's a bit mad, mind you we don't have it as bad as the aussies haha
It's about $25K less than a Cayman or TT-S with similar equipment in Europe and Nobody masters a FWD chasis like Peugeot, let alone Peugeot Sport so, considering the awesome job done at all levels, final tag is more than justified. Get a clue.
