In Ukraine, the national competition has been held since 2000. As usual, the winner is determined by two juries: the public (voting on the website and questionnaires) and the expert jury, which includes members of the Ukrainian Automobile Journalists Club. Peugeot is the only brand that has won the "Car of the Year" title twice: in 2002, the 307 model won, and in 2005, the 407. Experts consider the award of the RCZ in the "Best Design" category well-deserved, because the exterior of this car leaves no one indifferent.
The Peugeot RCZ sports coupe, which embodies the brand's new corporate style, hit the global market in the year of the company's bicentennial. The model combined more than a century of coupe-making experience with the latest developments of the French manufacturer. The appearance of the RCZ opened a new chapter in the development of the Peugeot car lineup focused on leisure and driving pleasure. This is the first passenger model of the brand to receive not a digital index but its own name, which once again emphasizes its uniqueness and brightness. The main detail of the exterior is the double-bubble roof arches, inspired by Peugeot's Le Mans racing prototypes. In the first year of sales, 17,926 such cars were sold worldwide.
"We are very grateful to Ukrainian drivers for such a warm reception of the new product! The RCZ has already received several awards: the title of 'Most Beautiful Car' at the 25th International Automobile Festival, the title of 'Design of the Year' at the Fleet World competition, 'Sports Car of the Year' according to Diesel Car magazine, 'Coupe of the Year' from Top Gear, and the 'Golden Horn' award in the 'Coupe of the Year' category. I am convinced that this car will be a real success in Ukraine, because in addition to its outstanding style, the RCZ also possesses the brand's traditional strengths — dynamics and excellent handling," said Mr. Serge Banze, General Director of Peugeot Ukraine.
The Ukrainian premiere of the sports coupe took place in May 2010, almost simultaneously with the start of sales in Europe. Initially, only cars with the 1.6 THP engine producing 156 hp (paired with a 6-speed automatic or manual transmission) were supplied to our market. But soon the engine lineup was supplemented with a more powerful 1.6 THP unit with 200 hp (6-speed manual) and a 2.0 HDi diesel with 163 hp (also with a 6-speed manual transmission).
It is worth adding that the journalists' jury duly appreciated the RCZ by including it in the top ten contenders for the title "Car of the Year in Ukraine 2011".
"The appearance of the RCZ coupe is a sure sign that Peugeot is returning to its historical roots, to that unique style that once drove brand fans crazy and generated many imitations among competitors. And this is a good sign. After all, we motorists with gasoline in our blood have always loved exactly such Peugeots — with character! It seems that the French themselves have already felt the intoxicating euphoria of returning to their 'design groove'. I bet that all new Peugeots will be the same — spirited, with perfectly tuned chassis and an elegant appearance," commented Maxim Kadakov, editor-in-chief of AutoReview Ukraine.
Brief information:
Peugeot cars bring driving joy to drivers and passengers in 160 countries, where more than 10,000 dealer points operate. In the year of its bicentennial, the company sold 2,142,000 cars, confirming its status as the largest French manufacturer in the world and ranking 9th among all automotive brands. Since the opening of the Peugeot Ukraine office in June 2010, the company has set its own record, increasing annual sales by 250% and market share to 1% at the end of the year, while in 2009 this figure was 0.4%.
Avtodel Peugeot
Simferopol
110 Pobedy Ave.
tel.: (0652) 54-85-44, (0652) 54-85-33
