Peugeot's most powerful road car ever offers an exhilarating experience behind the wheel.

The RCZ R is a race-bred road car with style, panache and power.

Such is the force of the acceleration that the driver is pushed back in the seat. The power of the 270bhp engine, proving 0-62mph in just under six seconds, is sure to bring a smile to the face.

The French firm has been involved in motorsport for several decades, through its Peugeot Sport team, so the RCZ has genuine racing DNA.

The fastest and most powerful production car the firm has ever built was engineered by the same people who built impressive Le Mans racers and iconic rally cars which enjoyed great success, especially in the Group B era under the stewardship of legendary Finnish driver Juha Kankkunen

The R’s extra muscles bulge out from every angle when you compare it to the standard RCZ, which not particularly reserved itself.

The new RCZ R features a lowered profile with black arches giving it an even more sporty appearance. The rear spoiler, Xenon headlamps and a twin sports exhaust, add to the car's appeal.

Another nice touch is the new two-tone alloy wheel design.

Under the bonnet is a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine.

Compared to the lesser RCZ, it has a bigger turbo and new engine tuning to create even more power.

Meanwhile, the R has lightened and strengthened internals, making sure it can last the test of time.

While the acceleration is pretty sensational, you ideally require dry conditions to have enough grip to get so much power down on the road through front-wheel drive.

Careful turbocharger tuning gives the RCZ R huge pulling power from just under 2,000rpm.

The car is most responsive and turbo lag is much reduced when you get above 3,000rpm.

The vehicle handles well, with the wide tyres providing excellent cornering grip. A Torsen locking front differential helps it to pull itself out of corners and provides plenty of steering feedback, resulting in a tangible connection to the road.

At 32,000, it's not cheap, but you get a certain feeling of luxury when climbing into the cabin. The heavily-sculpted sports front seats hug your body, while plenty of black leather with red stitching litters the interior.

There is also a folding rear bench seat, which is handy if you need to transport a second passenger for a short distance, but is only really designed for occasional use.

In terms of safety equipment, the car comes with ultrasonic alarm and immobiliser, deadlocks, selective unlocking of vehicle access points, locking wheel bolts, and driver and front passenger side and front airbags.

Extra convenience is provided by the fact the car’s boot is huge.

All in all, there's no question that Peugeot Sport has done a great job in creating this superb machine.

The Lowdown

Peugeot RCZ R

PRICE: £32,000

ENGINE: 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder producing 270bhp and 247lb.ft.

PERFORMANCE: Top speed 155mph, 0-62mph in 5.9 seconds.

COSTS: 44.8mpg.

EMISSIONS: 145g/km.

Will's ratings

PERFORMANCE: 5

ECONOMY: 3

RIDE/HANDLING: 5

SPACE: 4

EQUIPMENT: 4

SECURITY: 4

VALUE: 4

OVERALL: 4

FACTS AT A GLANCE

Model: , £31,995 on the road.

Engine:

Transmission: Six-speed manual gearbox driving the front wheels.

Performance:

Fuel economy:

CO2 rating: