Inline-4 · turbocharged
Inline-4
Peugeot RCZ R sound
The Peugeot RCZ R sounds like a tightly wound turbocharged four, with a buzzy, even exhaust note and turbo noise layered on top, because its 1.6-liter THP engine makes 270 PS through a twin-scroll turbocharger. It is a smaller, higher-strung sound than the six- and eight-cylinder cars in the app, but it is crisp and eager.
What to listen for
- Start: a short crank and a brief flare before the idle settles.
- Idle: an even, steady thrum with no lope, because the four cylinders fire at evenly spaced intervals.
- Revs: the buzz gets harder and raspier as revs rise, with a hint of turbo noise as the throttle snaps shut.
- Drive: under load the note is joined by the turbo's whistle as boost builds, and the exhaust stays muted compared with the naturally aspirated cars.
Why the RCZ R sounds like that
An inline-four fires twice per crankshaft revolution, with the pulses evenly spaced, so its basic note is a steady buzz rather than a V8's lope. The firing frequency shown above is half that of a V8 at the same rpm, and the sound is defined more by its raspy upper harmonics than by any deep fundamental.
The turbocharger sits in the exhaust path and takes energy from every pulse, which softens the exhaust note and adds sounds of its own: a rising whistle as boost builds and a rush of air when the throttle closes.
What Peugeot Sport changed
Peugeot Sport built the RCZ R as the hottest version of the coupe. The 1.6 THP got a new twin-scroll turbo and a larger intercooler, the six-speed manual gearbox was strengthened, and the car gained a Torsen limited-slip differential. Peak power of 270 PS (266 hp) arrives at 6,000 rpm, with 330 Nm (243 lb-ft) of torque from 1,900 to 5,500 rpm, so it pulls hard from low revs and sounds busy without being revved out.
How it compares
Next to Japanese turbo fours like the 2.0-liter 4G63 in the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX, the RCZ R's engine is smaller and higher-strung, with a lighter, raspier note and less of the gruff bottom end. The RCZ was never sold in the US, so most American listeners know the 1.6 THP through its relatives: the engine family was co-developed by PSA and BMW and also powered the Mini Cooper S of the same era, though the RCZ R's version is far more powerful. Peugeot Sport later used a 270 PS version of the same engine in the 308 GTi, so that car is the closest relative in sound.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Peugeot RCZ R turbocharged?
Yes. It uses a 1.6-liter THP inline-four with a twin-scroll turbocharger, rated at 270 PS (266 hp).
Was the Peugeot RCZ R sold in the US?
No. Peugeot has not sold cars in the US since the early 1990s, so the RCZ and RCZ R were only sold in other markets.
How fast is the Peugeot RCZ R?
Peugeot quoted 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in under six seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).
