2006 Peugeot 207 RCup - AllCarIndex

Already, we have seen the 20Cup concept car which provided the first «look» at the design of the front of a new Peugeot model. Its use of a single rear wheel, was an unexpected and a bold statement, to help maintain the suspense...

Conception ... «intense», today a «special» version of the 207 is conceived ... the 207 RCup ...

Styled by the Peugeot Style Centre, the 207 RCup reflects with even greater intensity the sporty nature and style of the production 207 – bold, elegant lines, well proportioned and balanced; it portrays the efficiency of the design and ensures driving enjoyment on a day-to-day basis.

With a central red stripe running the length of the body, guiding the eye to the fl owing lines of the pure white body, the sides emphasised by a red stylised lion’s head motif, all strengthen the intensity of the overall shape of the vehicle.

... The more sporty shape of the front and rear wings of the 207 RCup, a wider front and rear track than the original 207 and unusually large wheel arches, create a strong aerodynamic design.

Proudly exhibiting the sporty credentials of the 207 and taking them to a new level, the 207 RCup concept car appears to be «glued to the road» with its lower ground clearance reduced to ten centimetres. It creates an impression that it is ready to take any challenge, with its four 18” wheels featuring multiple magnesium spokes and fitted with 235/40R18 tyres.

Its two dual rear exhaust pipes, the deep front air dam containing air extraction ducts in front of the front wheels and the rear roof spoiler designed to increase down force, affirm without doubt, the character of the vehicle.

The start of a future

Peugeot Sport program?...

On the 207 RCup, the generous glazed surface area of the 207 is heavily tinted ... accentuating the sporty exterior styling.

On opening the door, all becomes clear: the 207 RCup follows the design requirements of the Rally Super 2000 category★★★ with its single compartment chassis and its tubular rollover cage protecting the vital space for the driver and the co-driver, who sit in competition bucket seats securely retained by four-point harnesses ...

The interior of the 207 RCup retains the same «wave-style» fascia panel and the motorcycle dials of the instrument panel found on the original 207. The central section and centre console are coloured red, echoing the exterior decoration, and guiding the expert eye of its driver and co-driver to the essential «racing» instrumentation.

On this special version, the rally style design includes, in particular, a light weight steering wheel, whose rim is covered with suede, a large hydraulic handbrake lever and, adjacent to the right-hand side of the steering wheel, a small lever similar to that of the sequential 6-speed gearbox, which controls the four-wheel drive transmission system.

What lies at the heart of this dynamic machine, equally at home on asphalt as it is on loose surfaces?

Answer: a naturally aspirated 2.0 litre petrol engine with double overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder, with a power of approximately 280 bhp at an engine speed of 8 500 rpm ... As dictated by Super 2000 Rally regulations★★★ !...

The next « generation » of the series...

... follows on from the 205 Turbo 16 and the 206 WRC, both of which supported their respective production models at the time of their individual launches. This new version of the 20. series carries on Peugeot’s sporting tradition and supports the arrival of the 207 hatchback, with a muscle-fl exing version with a strong image ... the 207 RCup ... for its part, to be driven on closed roads only.

Dimensions of the 207 RCup

In strict compliance with Super 2000 regulations, the architectural changes required for certain assemblies, such as the integral transmission and sequential gearbox, result in the following dimensions:

Length: 4.047 m

Width: 1.800 m

Height: 1.376 m

Wheelbase: 2.560 m

From Peugeot Sport ...

★★★ The world of the Super 2000...

The Super 2000 Rally category consists of group A cars derived from a production model, of which at least 25,000 have been produced.

The regulations allow volume manufacturers to offer a very competitive car with four-wheel drive, a naturally aspirated 2.0 litre engine with a power output of 280 bhp and a 6-speed sequential gearbox.

The regulations specify specifi c changes to the production car, in particular wider wings to install McPherson type suspension front and rear, as well as 18” wheels clad with special rally tyres. A maximum width, however, is imposed and all driving assistance systems are prohibited.

The Super 2000 category offers a good blend of simplicity/cost/performance, a decisive factor

for private teams, international subsidiaries of manufacturers in their national championships ... or simply enthusiasts ...

All can take part in World Championship production events alongside vehicles in group N4 (cars resembling production models with four wheel drive and powered by a 2.0 litre turbo charged engine) and be competitive...

SOURCE: Peugeot