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Continuing its rich tradition of creating exciting and imaginative concept vehicles, Automobiles Peugeot are set to unveil their latest creations the RC concept cars. The cars, soon to be shown at the Geneva Motor Show, take the form of a modern and passionate sporting 2 + 2 coupé, showcasing the innovation and dynamism of the Peugeot brand.
Utilising Peugeots extensive Engineering and R&D facilities, two cars in total have been developed. Distinguished only by the engine that powers them; petrol for the RC Spades and HDi diesel for the RC Diamonds; both vehicles have a shared architecture and shape, with a power train in the central and transverse rear position.
The body colour sets them apart: black for the RC equipped with the 2.0-litre 133 kW petrol engine, and red for the model equipped with the 2.2-litre HDi Diesel engine developing 129 kW. Each has an overall length of 4.30 m on a 2.80 m wheelbase, with a width of 1.80 m and a height of 1.15 m. The front and rear tracks are respectively 1.60 m and 1.50 m.
The structure of an RC is made from carbon pre-impregnated directly onto honeycomb panels, formed and baked into an autoclave. This self-supporting shell incorporates a caged roll-over bar manufactured from high strength steel and forms a rigid assembly, including the roof, to which are attached the front wings, the hoods and the two "beetle winged" doors.
The front shell incorporates the suspension and steering connections, and at the rear, the mountings of a tubular trellis sub-frame which supports the power train. Also at the rear, the suspension arms are rigidly attached to the sub-frame while the shock absorbers (dampers) are secured to the carbon structural shell.
The bonded panoramic windscreen is specially designed to provide a wide field of vision despite its very advanced position. Each of the two windscreen wipers, equipped with rain sensors, has its own electric motor to eliminate the slightest trace of a selector rod and the obstruction this can often cause. These motors are controlled in tandem electronically, ensuring synchronous operation of the extra-flat blades with integral lip.
The power trains have a "standard" design, and to achieve an optimum weight distribution and to enhance road holding, they are located centrally, perpendicular to the rear drive train. To avoid the transmission of parasitic vibrations to the structure, they are suspended by high-response connections.
The petrol engine is an in-line four-cylinder model with a twin overhead camshaft and sixteen valves. With a displacement of 1 997 cm3, it develops a maximum power of 133 kW and a torque of 202 Nm.
The HDi engine has a displacement of 2 168 cm3with four cylinders, a twin overhead camshaft and sixteen valves. Due to work on the design of the chambers, injection pressures, reinforced on rods and a new turbo charger, the maximum power of this "standard" engine is 129 kW and the maximum torque is 400 Nm. Of course, a particulate emission filter is incorporated into the exhaust line.
The cooling, or heat exchangers of these two engines are located at the front of the car. This contributes to aerodynamic balance, with an internal flow that has a vent situated at the level of the front wheels. With the HDi diesel engine, the equipment is supplemented by an "air/water" exchanger having its own low-temperature loop connected to the front of the main circuit. These circuits pass through the central tunnel of the single-shell structure. As soon as the car is driven, the front is pressurised and, because the air outlets are at low pressure, the radiators require very little front surface area to do their work.
In order to utilise the features of these engines to the full, the transmission is provided by a 6-speedmanual gearbox. The ML6 C version electro-hydraulic gearbox is controlled and the gears are adapted to the engine speed and torque ranges of each engine. This gearbox has hydraulically controlled gear selection and gear change. A sequential control lever is positioned in the central tunnel and the driver also has two buttons situated on the steering wheel. The gearbox also has an entirely automatic operating mode.
The wheels and suspension incorporate double wishbones at the front and rear. The mountings of the wishbones on the shell are rigidly attached by means of flexible articulations. To eliminate vertical bouncing movements, liable to cause the wheels to lock, each front half-train has an uncoupled pivot. This ensures steering accuracy and dynamic comfort. In order not to disturb the internal airflow, each lower front steel wishbone is hollow and profiled. All the other wishbones are manufactured from aluminium alloy. This assembly is reproduced at the rear with the sole aim of conserving the hub and pivot already mounted at the front. Each upper rear wishbone is a rocking mechanism that also supports the lower damper mounting.
Braking is by means of four monobloc ceramic discs that provide weight savings and improve thermal efficiency. The brake calipers with Peugeot identification have four pistons.
The RCs are equipped with 18" diameter magnesium alloy wheels. These are fitted with MichelinPilot Sport tyres (245 / 45 R18) incorporating a tread with a central red ring.
Theoretical performance and consumption data for the RCs is as follows:
|
RC Spades
|
RC Diamonds
|
| 0 to 100
(km/h) |
6
seconds
|
| 1 000 m
- DA |
26
seconds
|
| Maximum
speed |
230
km/h
|
| Mixed (l
/100 km) |
7.7
|
4.9
|
| CO2 emissions
(g/km) |
183
|
132
|
| Estimated
kerb weight (kg) |
From
900 to 950
|
The cat-like looks of the RC owe much to the presence of "in-house" headlamps using smooth glass technology with complex surface double reflectors. The rear lights have faceted casings and the smooth red glass caters for three distinct functions on their oblique surfaces.
Interior styling, identical on both RCs, follows the example of the exterior and its intentionally sporty looks with the use of materials such as stainless steel or aluminium. The cloth and leather covered seats continue the red and black theme.
One of the first rough sketches by designers featured an extension of the central tunnel
rearwards, which then rose to intersect the rear windscreen and continued under the roof as far as the front windscreen. This "scorpions tail" helped to strengthen the roof.
The leather upholstered fascia panel houses a "chronograph" instrument panel with both digital (speed) and analogue (rev counter) readouts. The electrical structure makes use of the multiplexing of the newest model, the 307, and therefore includes air conditioning with automatic regulation, automatic headlamp illumination, automatic speed-regulated operation of the windscreen wipers, an on-board computer and more.
These RC's are equipped with telematics comprising a CD radio, telephone, an on-board
navigation system with a 7" colour screen. The carbon bucket seats are lined with foam and upholstered with leather. Able to be inclined and adjusted for height and length, they also feature harness type seat belts.
At Geneva in 1998, six months before the production of the 206, Peugeot unveiled a stunning concept car; the 206. Approximately 2 years later, the 206CC was a reality, and has since proven hugely successful worldwide. One wonders where the RC concept car may lead Peugeot in the future
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