At the 2026 Paris Motor Show, we attended the public premiere of the Peugeot RCZ Vision, and here are our observations following our time with the vehicle.
Design
The Peugeot RCZ Vision previews a successor to the iconic RCZ coupé (2009–2015). It features sculpted sides, pronounced shoulders and a low roofline. Horizontal three-claw lighting sits beneath compact LED headlights, while the front bumper incorporates RCZ graphics.
The double-bubble roof and slim cabin arches recall the original RCZ. Forged-aluminium wheels measure 21 inches at the front and 22 inches at the rear. An active rear spoiler remains concealed when stationary.
Seeing the Peugeot Vision RCZ in person, I was struck by how compact it looks despite its bold, muscular styling, with proportions that seem well suited to Europe’s narrower streets.
Front
What stood out most to me was the elegant reinterpretation of Peugeot’s three-claw signature, with three slim horizontal light strips on either side of the illuminated lion badge. Together, they give the broad, subtly V-shaped nose a clean, harmonious look.
Meanwhile, the narrow headlights above contain an intricate zigzag pattern. Perforated RCZ lettering sits low on the bumper, above a row of angular openings, with tall, slanted recesses at the corners adding a sportier edge.
Side
The Peugeot Vision RCZ combines muscular rear haunches with open, geometric wheel designs that keep its electric identity visually understated.
I also noticed that the roof remains relatively level over the front seats before descending more sharply towards the rear, suggesting less of a compromise in front headroom than its low stance might imply.
The sculpting beneath the doors caught my attention, with a deeply recessed section flowing into a pronounced lower blade. I also like the angular side glazing and sizeable rear quarter windows, which could help the rear seats feel less enclosed if Peugeot carries this design into production.
Rear
The roof and rear glass flow into a smooth, sloping tail, where three slim light strips on each side sit almost flush with the bodywork around illuminated Peugeot lettering. The treatment looks particularly sleek to me.
A concave bumper, dark corner recesses and perforated RCZ lettering give the Peugeot Vision RCZ a sporty finish without making the rear look overly busy.
Interior
The RCZ Vision previews a new Peugeot i-Cockpit, with the Hypersquare steering control central to its onboard experience.
Compared with the exterior, the Peugeot Vision RCZ’s cabin feels much more experimental, and I would expect it to need greater changes for production.
A slim dashboard stretches across the cabin, while the rectangular steering control features four circular openings around an illuminated Peugeot badge. Circular motifs also appear in the seats, pedals and floor detailing, giving the interior a consistent and unusual design theme.
The instrument display particularly interests me, pairing a slim transparent panel with graphics that recall traditional analogue dials.
A portrait-oriented central touchscreen adds a more contemporary touch, while a floating, wave-shaped centre console brings some softness to the cabin’s technical design. The central screen can switch off and virtually disappear, while physical aluminium controls sit on a frosted-glass console.
Specifications
The RCZ Vision uses an architecture based on the STLA One platform. Steer-by-wire replaces the mechanical connection between the steering control and wheels.
Steer-by-wire and Hypersquare steering wheel should lead to quick and easy manoeuvres, without requiring the driver to move their hands or make multiple turns of the steering control
Peugeot quotes 500 hp and up to 600 km of range. Its 110 mm-thick solid-state battery uses a 1,000 V architecture, enabling a claimed 10-80% charge in 10 minutes.
Target WLTP combined consumption stands at 11.5 kWh/100 km, subject to confirmation.
Price
Peugeot has not announced a price or production launch date for the RCZ Vision yet. More than a decade after its discontinuation, the RCZ returns as a showcase for the brand’s future, although a showroom comeback remains unconfirmed at the time of filing.
Since 2014, I’ve worked as an international automotive editor, attending global motor shows, industry events, media drives, and tracking the latest developments across the sector, with a particular focus on electrified vehicles.