Peugeot revives a legend. The RCZ Vision previews a 500-horsepower coupe for a new era

Over the years, the RCZ remained one of Peugeot’s most recognizable and stylistically bold models. Produced from 2009 to 2015, this coupe stood out with its distinctive double-hump roof and a design that effectively competed for customers’ attention against German rivals. Now, the French brand is returning to this legacy by introducing the RCZ Vision concept car, designed to serve as a technological and stylistic manifesto.

The new model was created in line with the stylistic language of “Feline Future,” or “Cat’s Future.” Peugeot describes it through five values: freedom, courage, elegance, strength, and instinct. Its appearance is hard to confuse with that of any other car. The low-slung body line, muscular wheels, extremely narrow cabin, and slender headlights inspired by the motif of three claws give the RCZ Vision a look more akin to an exotic sports car than another premium electric model.

The designers also retained the most distinctive feature of its predecessor, namely the roof with a double bulge. This time, however, it serves not only an aesthetic purpose but also enhances the space for passengers in the second row. The car measures 4.65 meters in length, 1.94 meters in width, and 1.35 meters in height, with proportions that make it more similar to modern grand tourers than traditional compact coupes.

500 HP and a battery that charges in 10 minutes

The most exciting aspect, however, is the powertrain. The brand claims 500 HP of power, a range of up to 600 kilometers, and an average energy consumption of 11.5 kWh/100 km according to the WLTP procedure. The manufacturer notes that some of these specifications are still pending confirmation, as the RCZ Vision is a concept car.

The key component is a semiconductor battery developed in collaboration with Factorial Energy. The battery is only 110 mm thick and operates with a 1000 V electrical system. According to Peugeot, this allows it to increase the charge level from 10% to 80% in about 10 minutes.

Semiconductor batteries are now considered one of the most promising technologies for electric mobility. Theoretically, they offer higher energy density, lower weight, and faster charging times compared to the lithium-ion batteries currently in use. The RCZ Vision shows that Peugeot aims to be among the manufacturers to first apply this technology in road vehicles.

The future steering wheel will make it to a production model

The interior is just as bold. The central element of the cockpit is the Hypersquare system, which replaces the traditional steering wheel with a rectangular control unit featuring four circular openings. This setup works alongside steer-by-wire technology, eliminating the mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the wheels. Electronics handle all responses, capable of adjusting the steering system’s characteristics based on driving speed.

Peugeot claims that at low speeds, this system improves maneuverability, while it enhances driving stability at higher speeds. Importantly, according to the brand, a production version of the Hypersquare system is set to appear in the next generation of the e-208 model.

The RCZ Vision also features a brake-by-wire system, where electronic control replaces the traditional hydraulic connection between the brake pedal and calipers. According to the manufacturer, this improves braking precision and works more effectively with the energy recovery system.

The “electric” driver experience designed for pleasure

In a conversation cited by industry media, Peugeot’s design chief, Matthias Hossann, emphasized that the design was intentionally kept in realistic proportions. “I asked my team to make the car look realistic in terms of proportions and size, so it would be more approachable. It wasn’t about designing a UFO or something extremely futuristic,” said the designer.

This is perhaps the most important information regarding the RCZ Vision. Despite its futuristic design, the concept does not appear to be an unrealistic experiment. It is four-seater, offering space for two adults in the back, and was designed so that some of its features might make it into production models. Unfortunately, Peugeot has not confirmed the series production of the RCZ Vision yet, which is a shame!

Oskar Włostowski