Cars Guide

PSA Peugeot-Citroen’s December webzine issue provides us a premature view of Peugeot’s upcoming 207 RC. To be presented officially at the Geneva Show in March, the 207 RC is fitted with the most powerful version yet of PSA-BMW’s 1.6-litre Twinscroll Turbo engine producing 175Hp & 240 Nm of torque (the same motor is also used on the 2007 MINI Cooper S). According to Peugeot, the RC needs 7,1 sec for the 0 to 100km/h (62mph) sprint and it reaches a top speed of 220 km/h (137mph). 

While the 207 RC’s specs are among the best in its class, we’re kinda disappointed with its subtle exterior looks, especially when compared with Renault’s Clio RS and Opel’s Corsa OPC. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a sucker for the 207’s looks, but the RC in particular, is a GTi and in this category you’d expect something much more compelling. At least it gets a set of bucket seats in the interior to differentiate itself from its (much) less powerful siblings.

We still have a few days left before Opel officially unveils the new Insignia, but since a whole set of images were leaked into the net the other day, there’s no point for hiding anymore. Apart from the pictures without watermarks, we also have initial details on the Insignia’s engine range.

Starting off with gasoline models, the Vectra’s successor will be offered with five petrol units: 1.6-liter with 115 Hp; 1.8-liter with 140 Hp; 1.6-liter Turbo with 180 Hp; 2.0-liter Turbo with 200 Hp and 2.8-liter V6 Turbo with 260 Hp. The Insignia’s diesel engine range will include four units: 2.0-liter available with 110, 130 and 160 Hp and a top notch 2.9-liter V6 with 250 Hp.

In 2009 Opel will enhance the Insignia’s range with the addition of an OPC version that will be equipped with a 300 HP 2.8-liter V6 Turbo engine combined with an all-wheel drive system. The Insignia will go on sale in Europe this summer and although this is not official yet, it is expected that it will also come to the States as the successor to the Saturn Aura.