Peugeot Announces UK Prices for RCZ Coupe, Starts at £19,900, on Sale in Spring 2010

Even though we're still a week away from the first public appearance of Peugeot's sexy RCZ (for details and gallery, click here)at the Frankfurt Show and more than six months away from its market launch in the UK in Spring 2010, the French automaker has released pricing for the 2+2 coupe. The entry-level RCZ with the 156HP 1.6-liter turbocharged petrol and a manual gearbox starts start at an on-the-road price of £19,900 or £240 more than the VW Scirocco 160HP 1.4 TSI (£19,660).

The range-topping RCZ with the 200HP version of the 1.6L turbo is priced at £24,500 which is £980 less than the Audi TT Coupe 200HP 2.0 TSI. There's also a 2.0-liter HDi diesel with 163 horsepower that starts from £21,700.

The RCZ will be offered in two grades with the entry trim level including 18-inch alloy wheels, sports front seats, dual zone air-conditioning, folding rear seat, rear parking aid, deadlocks, selective access locking, alarm and immobilizer, four airbags, ESP, EBFD, EBA, ABS, double bubble rear screen, black roof panel, active rear spoiler and twin rear sports' exhaust.

The second trim level adds a leather interior, electric heated front seats, carpet mats, front parking aid, auto tilting (when reversing) door mirrors, automatic lights, follow-me-home lighting, automatic windscreen wipers, automatic exterior approach lighting, 19-inch alloy wheels.

Buyers can also further personalize their car with a range of options including different style 19-inch alloy wheels, carbon roof panel (gloss black), carbon roof panel (satin finish), integral leather, Peugeot connect media navigation 3D (NG4), xenon headlamps, directional lights, gloss black brake calipers, black roof arches, matt roof arches and JBL Hi Fi Pack.

Peugeot Introduces New Partner Crew Van - Not for the Claustrophobic Type...

The new Peugeot Partner Van is now available in the UK in a five-seater version that comes with a factory fitted modular rear seat conversion. The Partner Crew Van is based on the standard S L2 HDi 90 model but offers the flexibility to carry up to five passengers whilst still featuring the same 1.8 m load length and 3.3 m3 load volume as the standard L1 version, when the rear seats are folded away. The new model is available at a basic price of £13,565.

Peugeot Partner Tepee MPV gets New 120HP1.6 VTi Petrol Engine

Peugeot has introduced a new 1.6-liter petrol engine to its Partner Tepee compact MPV. Available from November, the Euro 5 petrol that unit makes 120 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 129 lb-ft of torque at 4,250 rpm will replace the current 110HP 1.6-liter 16v engine. With this engine the compact MPV accelerates from standstill to 62mph (96 km/h) in 13.4 seconds and goes on to a top speed of 110 mph or 177 km/h.

According to the French automaker, the Partner Tepee S model returns a combined fuel economy of 38.7 mpg UK with CO2 emissions of 169 g/km. This translates in 12.5% improvement in fuel consumption and a 15% improvement in CO2 emissions over the current model fitted with the 110HP unit.

The new Partner Tepee S VTi 120 will be available in the UK at an on-the-road price of £12,795.

Peugeot Launches New Bipper Tepee MPV onto the UK Market

The oddly named Bipper Tepee is the latest addition to Peugeot's UK range. The compact size minivan with the sliding rear doors has an overall length of 3,959mm, a width of 1,684mm and a 1,720mm and can seat five-passengers. The MPV's load area has a capacity of 356 liters under the rear parcel shelf which can be expanded to 884 liters with the 60 / 40 split rear seat bench folded or 2.5m3 with the rear seat removed.

In the UK, the Bipper Tepee is offered with a choice of two engines, a 1.4-liter petrol fitted with a 5-speed manual gearbox and a 70HP 1.4-liter HDi diesel available with either a conventional 5 speed manual gearbox or electronically controlled 5 speed manual gearbox.

With the petrol unit the Bipper Tepee accelerates from zero to 62mph (100km/h) in a whopping 16,6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 96mph or 154km/h while returning a combined fuel economy of 42.8mpg UK (35.6 mpg US).

The 70HP diesel drags the French MPV from standstill to 62mph in 18.7 sec (oddly enough, Peugeot says the automatic is slightly faster at 18.4 sec) and on to a top speed of 94mph or 151 km/h. The diesel model returns a combined economy of 62.8mpg UK (52.3 mpg US).

On sale now, the Bipper Tepee is available in two trim levels S and Outdoor. The S starts from £9,995 and comes equipped with driver, passenger and side airbags, ABS, one touch electric front windows, electric heated door mirrors, remote control central locking, radio / CD player with MP3 functionality, twin glazed sliding side doors and height adjustable driver seat with armrest.

Priced from £10,795, the Outdoor features a suspension raised by 15 mm, larger body sill protection mouldings and side mouldings, an under–body engine protection plate, lower front panel trim, roof bars, front fog lights and air-conditioning.

Peugeot Releases UK Pricing for New 5008 7-Seater MPV

French automaker Peugeot today released detailed pricing on its all-new 5008 MPV that is due to go on sale in the UK in January 2010. Buyers can choose from three different trim levels - Active, Sport and Exclusive – all of which feature Peugeot's Multiflex interior with seven seats, the second row of which folds flat and the third row can be hidden below the floor. Engine options include two petrols with 120HP and 156HP and three diesels with 110HP, 150HP and 163HP.

Prices range from £16,895 for the base 5008 VTi 120 Active to £23,695 for the top-of-the-line 5008 HDi 163 Auto Exclusive.

All versions come equipped with standard ESP, (Electronic Stability Programme), automatic electric parking brake with Hill Assist, Energy Saver tires and air conditioning.

The 5008 Sport models are also equipped with 17-in. alloy wheels, an Aluminium package (trim for front grille, front fog lights and chrome detailing), cruise control with speed limiter, lighting pack with removable torch, Storage pack (under seat and footwell storage), color coded exterior and front fog lights.

The Excluisve trim adds more standard features such as the Cielo panoramic glass roof, a Visibility pack (automatic headlamps and wipers), Rear Vision pack (electric folding mirrors, electrochrome interior mirror), Head Up display, Distance Alert, rear parking aid, USB and Bluetooth handsfree equipment and climate control air conditioning.

Peugeot Launches Limited Edition of RCZ Sports Coupe with Real Carbon Fiber Roof in Frankfurt

As well as introducing the production version and a hybrid prototype of its Audi TT and VW Scirocco challenger, Peugeot also used the Frankfurt motor show to launch a "Limited Edition" of the RCZ, reserved for its first 200 European customers. Available for order now with first deliveries expected in Spring 2010, the special RCZ comes equipped with a 1.6-liter turbocharged petrol engine that makes 156 horsepower and is coupled to a 6-speed manual gearbox that drives the front wheels.

The numbered edition of the RCZ features a special pearlescent white paintwork which is contrasted by the real carbon fiber rooftop and mirror housings as well as the gloss black of the bumper grille and the brake calipers, the smoked chrome of the wheel arches and the matte black of the 19-inch alloy wheels.

The 2+2 coupe's interior is finished with Peugeot's top-of-the-range Nappa black leather upholstery while the vehicle's standard equipment has been upgraded with various features such as directional bi-Xenon headlamps, heated electric seats, front and rear parking assistance and alarm.

Peugeot said that he "Limited Edition" RCZ is available in France at a price of €35,500.

Peugeot i0n EV: Rebadged Mitsubishi i-MiEV All-Electric Mini to Debut in Frankfurt, Goes on Sale in 2010

Looks like Pug's designers had a much easier task than initially thought when we decided to 'chop' a Peugeot fascia on the Mitsubishi i-MiEV after the announcement on the introduction of the Peugeot and Citroen EVs based on the Japanese mini. In what seems like a five minute job, Peugeot slapped one of its logos on the i-MiEV, changed the alloy wheels and slightly altered the front bumper to accommodate Euro-plates and 'voila': the new Peugeot i0n...

The French automaker, which claims to be the manufacturer with the most "zero emission" electric vehicles sold in the world to this day with models like the Peugeot 106 Electric that was produced between 1995 and 2003, will display the i0n for the first time at the Frankfurt Motor Show later this month..

The European-spec i-MiEV (let's not fool ourselves, that's what the i0n is) is motivated by an electric motor that drives the rear wheels producing an output of 47kW or 64HP and 180Nm or 132.8-lbs/ft of maximum torque that allows the 3,480 mm long mini to achieve a top speed of 130 km/h (80mph).

The four-seater EV has an operating range of 130 kilometers or 80 miles on a single charge of its lithium-ion batteries that can be fully recharged in six hours using a domestic mains power supply. If you use the fast charge system, the batteries can be recharged up to 80% capacity within thirty minutes.

Production of both the Citroen and Peugeot variants of the Mitsubishi i-MiEV will commence in October 2010 with sales pegged to start in Europe towards the end of 2010.

We remind you that the PSA Peugeot - Citroen Group has another ongoing project with Mitsubishi in the form of the Outlander based Peugeot 4007 and Citroen C-Crosser SUVs.

Peugeot and Citroen Announce All-Electric Minis Based on the Mitsubishi i-MiEV EV, Sales Start in 2010

Earlier this year, Mitsubishi and PSA Peugeot Citroen announced that they had signed a Memorandum of Understanding regarding collaboration on electric vehicles (EVs) based on the Japanese firm's i-MiEV EV. Today, Osamu Masuko, CEO of Mitsubishi Motors and Philippe Varin, CEO of PSA, finished the deal by signing a cooperative agreement in Paris. The vehicle is to be sold in Europe in both Peugeot and Citroen versions with production planned to commence in October 2010 and sales by the end of 2010.

Mitsubishi launched the new-generation EV i-MiEV in Japan in June, and will begin global sales of the right-hand drive vehicle this year with LHD versions following in 2010.

Mitsubishi launched the new-generation EV i-MiEV in Japan in June, and will begin global sales of the right-hand drive vehicle this year with LHD versions following in 2010.

In Japan, the EV i-MiEV is priced from 4,599,000 Yen (almost $50,00 US / €35,00 at today's rates), or more than double the price of a JDM Toyota Prius that costs 2,050,000 Yen or $22,000.

The all-electric version of the i-MIEV is powered by an electric motor that drives the rear wheels and develops an output of 47kW or 64HP and 180Nm or 132.8-lbs/ft of maximum torque.

According to Japanese automaker, the vehicle's lithium-ion battery pack that can be charged in 7-14 hours delivers up to 100 miles or 160 km of pure electric driving.

It is expected that the PSA group will follow a similar path to that of the Toyota co-developed Aygo, 107 and C1 project with the i-MiEV, meaning that the differences between the Citroen, Peugeot and Mitsubishi models will most likely be limited to the front fascia and the rear end design.

*The Peugeot picture above is a Carscoop Photoshop

2010 Peugeot 207 Facelift: First Official Photos

Peugeot today showed off its mildly refreshed 207 that comes in three body shapes, three- and five-door hatchback, Station Wagon and the CC hardtop convertible. All variants of the 207 feature a redesigned front end with a new grille, increased use of exterior body coloring and chrome detailing while the hatchback and CC models also gain new LED tail lights.

There are no photos of the interior but the French carmaker said that its facelifted supermini benefits from new trims and detailing plus a revised instrument panel.

The introduction of the 2010MY 207 also sees a range of new standard equipment that includes an in-car entertainment system with Bluetooth connectivity, one-touch direction indicator function, remote controlled window closure on hatchback and SW models and one-touch operation of the driver's electric window on the 207 CC.

Furthermore, Peugeot claims that the 207's range will be gradually updated with the introduction of engines meeting the Euro5 emission standard. Prices and full details will be released closer to the launch of the new 207 that is scheduled to arrive in European showrooms this August.

VW wins 2009 International Engine of the Year, Mercedes Scoops Performance Engine Award

Volkswagen Group's 1.4-litre TSI Twincharger gasoline engine has been named the grand winner at 2009 International Engine of the Year awards ending BMW's four-year-streak. The four-cylinder unit that is offered in a variety of cars including the VW Golf and Seat Ibiza Cupra, also scooped the Green Engine of the Year award beating both Toyota's and Honda's new electric-hybrid powerplants, while the panel of 65 motoring journalists from 32 countries also named the 1.4 TSI the 1.0- to 1.4-liter Engine of the Year.

German manufacturers dominated this year's competition, winning 11 out of the 12 available awards. In the other categories, Porsche's direct injection 3.8-liter flat-six was named Best New Engine of 2009 while Mercedes' 6.2-liter V8 AMG unit won the Performance Engine of the Year as well as the Above 4-litre category.

Mercedes also took home an award for its 2.1-litre diesel unit that won the 2-litre to 2.5-litre category.

Last year's overall winner, BMW, secured three awards, the 3-litre to 4-litre category with the M3's 4.0-liter V8, the 2.5-litre to 3-litre class with its 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six and along with the PSA Citroen-Peugeot group, the 1.4-litre to 1.8-litre category with their 1.6-liter Turbo engine.

Toyota won the Sub 1-litre category with its 998cc, three-cylinder engine while Audi was rewarded for its 2.0-litre, four-cylinder TFSI engine in the 1.8-litre to 2-litre category class.

International Engine of the Year Awards 2009 Winners

Best New Engine of 2009 -->
Porsche 3.8-litre flat-six (911)

Green Engine of the Year -->
Volkswagen 1.4-litre TSI Twincharger (Golf, Touran, Tiguan, Jetta)

Performance Engine of the Year -->
Mercedes-AMG 6.2-litre (CLK, S, SL, CL, CLS, ML)

Sub 1-litre -->Toyota 1-litre (Aygo, Yaris, Peugeot 107, Citroën C1, Subaru Justy)

1-litre to 1.4-litre -->
Volkswagen 1.4-litre TSI Twincharger (Golf, Eos, Scirocco, Touran, Tiguan, Jetta, Seat Ibiza Cupra)

1.4-litre to 1.8-litre -->
BMW-PSA 1.6-litre Turbo (MINI Cooper S, Clubman, Peugeot 207, 308

1.8-litre to 2-litre -->
Audi 2-litre TFSI (A4, A5, Q5, VW Scirocco, Golf GTi)

2-litre to 2.5-litre -->
Mercedes-Benz Diesel 2.1-litre (BlueEffieciency C-Class, BlueEffieciency E-Class)

2.5-litre to 3-litre -->
BMW 3-litre DI Twin-Turbo (135, 335, X6, Z4, 730)

3-litre to 4-litre -->
BMW 4-litre V8 (M3)

Above 4-litre -->
Mercedes-AMG 6.2-litre (CLK, S, SL, CL, CLS, ML)

The International Engine of the Year 2009:

Volkswagen 1.4-litre TSI Twincharger (Golf, Eos, Scirocco, Touran, Tiguan, Jetta, Seat Ibiza Cupra)

VIDEO: New Peugeot 5008 Compact MPV

Strengthening its position in the highly competitive compact MPV sector in Europe, the PSA Peugeot-Citroen recently swiped the covers off the all-new Peugeot 5008 people carrier that is set to go on sale in the autumn after a premiere at the Frankfurt auto show in September. The 5008 that will be offered in five- and seven-seat configurations will compete directly with the Renault Scenic and Grand Scenic and Opel Zafira MPVs as well as its sister company's Citroen C4 Picasso and C4 Grand Picasso models. Click here for our detailed article on the French MPV or hit the jump to watch the first official promo video of the 5008.

2010 Peugeot 408 Sedan: New Renderings Based on Inside Info

These are the latest speculative renderings of Peugeot's 407 mid-size sedan replacement that is due to arrive in European showrooms sometime during the fourth quarter of 2010. The crew over at French car magazine L'Auto Journal told us that the computer generated images of the Peugeot 408 are based on inside information. As is always the case with these kind of stories, only time will tell how close the renderings are to reality.

What we do know for certain is that underneath the sheetmetal, the Peugeot 408 sedan will get the same platform and much of the mechanical hardware found in the well accepted Citroen C5.

Expect to see Peugeot's Ford Mondeo and Opel Insignia challenger to be offered with a wide choice of petrol and diesel engines, ranging from a 1.8-litre 127-horsepower petrol unit to the new 3.0-liter HDi V6 diesel that produces a healthy 240-horsepower.

Photos: Autojournal