RCZ

Supercar styling based on humble 308 front-drive underpinnings, Peugeot’s RCZ was a low-priced head-turner. While looks are subjective, the very least that could be said for the ‘two bubble’ Magna Steyr-designed styling was that it was highly-distinctive.

Chrome instrumentation and stitched material on the dash and door panels meant that on first glance the cabin matched the exterior styling. But the familiar family switchgear betrayed the car’s humble origins.

The Australian RCZ range was available with a choice of three engines – two 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engines co-developed with BMW and a 2.0-litre HDi turbo-diesel.

The petrol engines were not only split by performance – the top-of-the-range unit had 147kW while the less engine has 115kW – but also transmission, with the performance leader mated only with a six-speed manual gearbox and the lower-output unit getting just with a six-speed automatic.

The 120kW turbo-diesel also only came with one transmission choice, a six-speed manual. For the sake of simplicity, each was priced at $54,990The RCZ didn’t worry the true thoroughbreds in the coupe class, but it was smooth, refined and relatively frugal. But this car was all about its looks - those who fell in love with the slinky style of the RCZ were not likely to have much to match it against at its price.