Peugeot kills the RCZ

Peugeot has confirmed its sexy RCZ coupe will not be replaced by a new model.

Speaking to Autocar at the Shanghai Motor Show, Peugeot Brand CEO, Maxime Picat, confirmed that the RCZ will be culled as the French manufacturer reduces its model range from 26 to 13 by 2022.

Peugeot has struggled financially for many years now, racking up enormous, multi-billion dollar losses in 2012 and 2013. The simplification of its model range is one of a number of drastic measures taken to ensure the company's survival.

Picat explained that 13 models account for 95 per cent of Peugeot's sales and 100 per cent of its profit, making cutting the slow-selling RCZ an easy decision.

As of March 2015, Peugeot's local arms has sold 917 RCZs since its introduction in 2010, with almost a third of those sales coming in 2011, the car's first full year on sale.

While it hasn't raced off the dealer forecourts, there is a lot to like about Peugeot's sleek front-drive coupe.

Its distinctive looks are unlike anything else on the road and its driving dynamics are excellent in turbo-petrol form. The range-topping RCZ-R lifted its game even further, finishing fourth at last year's Performance Car of the Year.

While the demise of the RCZ is unfortunate, cars like the 208 GTi 30th Anniversary and 308 R Hybrid concept prove that Peugeot still has plenty to offer enthusiasts.

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