Peugeot RCZ driven

,

�20,450

Buttock-inspired glazing has never been so appealing. The RCZ is in the UK, and it looks booty-shakin' good. Or something.

Especially with a price-tag that, if not bargain basement, shouldn't make you recoil in shock. This 156bhp, 2.0-litre petrol version is the cheapest route to arse-roofed ownership: prices start at �20,450, �2,300 less than the 200bhp top-spec petrol we previously tested and - crucially - seven grand cheaper than the entry-level Audi TT.

This isn't strictly a fair comparison: that TT develops 41bhp more, and gets a smarter interior as standard. But it's a healthy market for the RCZ to target.

It makes sense to go with the cheapest engine here. Even the hottest RCZ is more quick cruiser than blistering sports coupe, so the loss of 50-odd bhp isn't fatal. In any case, this RCZ is hardly a blubby trundler, hitting 62mph less than a second behind the quickest RCZ (8.3 seconds plays 7.6) and never feeling breathless. You might miss the extra pace when faced with a tasty B-road, but in truth, even the 200bhp RCZ won't attack it with the vim of, say, the Scirocco.

In fact, VW's coupe might provide the sternest test to the RCZ on price grounds too: the similarly powered, sharper-driving 1.4-litre petrol Roc costs almost exactly the same - and, of course, has a pair of useable rear seats.

But no rumpish fenestration. And what man can put a price on rumpish fenestration?

On your drive for: �509pcm

Performance: 0-62mph in 8.3secs, max speed 133mph, 42.1mpg

Tech: 1598cc, 4cyl, FWD, 156bhp, 177lb ft, 1394kg, 155g/km CO2

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