Peugeot RC Concept 2002

The Peugeot RC was a concept car built by French automaker Peugeot and introduced at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show.

The RC was a mid-engined, rear-wheel drive sports car with the same essential design, but came in two versions. The Spade was painted black and featured a 2.0L naturally-aspirated straight-4 petrol engine. Power was quoted at 181 bhp (133.2 kW). The red Diamond was powered by a 2.2L diesel engine that was capable of the same performance but with different driving and ride characteristics. Both variants were equipped with a six-speed sequential gearbox, featured a 900-kg carbon-fiber body, ceramic disc brakes, and a 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) time of 6.0 seconds.

The bodywork, designed by Peugeot Style Centre, was praised as graceful and imaginative, and has influenced subsequent Peugeot cars. The diesel Diamond was quoted as capable of a fuel economy of 57 mpg (4.1 L/100 km), a very impressive figure for any car with sporting ambitions. The television show BBC Top Gear, not known for its love of diesels, reviewed the Peugeot RC Diamond in 2002 and presenter Richard Hammond remarked that it was "possibly the first proper diesel sports car."

Peugeot has presented in the Paris Motor Show a new concept hybrid electric sports sedan. Similar to the drivetrain model used in the upcoming Chevy Volt, the 2009 Peugeot RC concept promises the ability to run solely off electric power for extended periods, with a hybrid electric powertrain filling in the gaps when extra range is needed.
The Peugeot RC HYmotion4 includes a 70 kW electric motor at the front wheels

Manufacturer Peugeot
Production 2002
Class Sports car
Body style(s) 2-door coupe
Layout Mid-engined, rear-wheel drive
Engine(s) 2.0L straight-4, 2.2L diesel
Transmission(s) 6-speed sequential manual
Wheelbase 2800 mm (110.2 in)
Curb weight 900 kg (1984 lb)