stewartwillsher
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- May 15, 2017
- Messages
- 1,111
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- Location
- Western Spain and Costa de la Luz
OK, hardly worth a write-up, but am well impressed, and first run, so WAFFLE.
RCZ needed fuel and no appropriate journeys imminent, so took off to a gas station we often use, about thirteen kms from home.
Prior to this, I had only driven the one and a half kms from our Pug garage to home, so these are my first real impressions.
Engine not really cold as outside temp was about thirty C.
Smooth and quiet, despite the Remus quad exhaust system.
Pulling away, up through the gears as fast as I could change them, so I like the nippiness, that I thought I might have lost.
The road is twisty, and 90kph, except a couple of limits of 70, one of 60 and one 50.
Did not abuse them by much [blush!], so touching 120 in places [ahem].
Nor did I "test" the brakes, but very progressive and balanced, and going down through the gears not really needed for retardation.
RCZ sits nice and snug on the road, so not comparable with the bus (5008), nor the 108, which can hop about a bit being small and light.
Tail end seemed well planted, unlike many front wheel drive hot hatches (I've had a couple) that can feet very light arsed.
Putting my foot down on a couple of occasions, through the gears, did not highlight turbo lag, if indeed there was any.
Caused a bit of a stir at the garage; big chap who often serves us, waved his arms around and jabbered with his mates as I pulled in.
He had seen the zero a few times and always asked after it and knew I was flogging it, but here I was in a classy motor not something crazy, nor completely sober either.
All changed when I insisted on diesel; turned his nose up so I had to do a bit of hard sell to reclaim kudos and cred.
On the return run, the road climbs from the plain of the Rio Tietar up into the foothills of the Sierra de Gredos, so approximately an increase in altitude of 200mtrs in about five kms; fairly steep in places but good road with sweeping bends.
Initially in fifth in a 70kph limit, but swiftly into sixth and pulling as if there was no incline, at over 100kph, 120 where straight-ish.
Then, out of interest, testing the torque, used only fifth and sixth the rest of the way home, including a short 50kph limit stretch.
What a superb power band that 2.0 HDI has!
My learning curve was reduced somewhat, as the similarities with the 5008 are quite remarkable, apart from the obvious, sharing so many of the controls (same year of manufacture, even), so I could focus on the feel of the car more.
Comfort is same but different, if that makes sense, in that the arm chairs of the 5008 become the sport style of the RCZ, but equally supportive laterally with adjustments in all directions.
Madam fiddled with them all and declared the seating adequate; an accolade, indeed.
She was quite happy for me to blat on the outward journey, nodding approval to the G force, but then she is one of the very few who "relaxed" as a passenger in the Zero.
The return leg showed the almost Jekyll and Hyde character of the RCZ, which can lift up its skirts and run, or walk sedately.
I look forward to a long run, after which I will, unless there are objections, produce a commentary.
RCZ needed fuel and no appropriate journeys imminent, so took off to a gas station we often use, about thirteen kms from home.
Prior to this, I had only driven the one and a half kms from our Pug garage to home, so these are my first real impressions.
Engine not really cold as outside temp was about thirty C.
Smooth and quiet, despite the Remus quad exhaust system.
Pulling away, up through the gears as fast as I could change them, so I like the nippiness, that I thought I might have lost.
The road is twisty, and 90kph, except a couple of limits of 70, one of 60 and one 50.
Did not abuse them by much [blush!], so touching 120 in places [ahem].
Nor did I "test" the brakes, but very progressive and balanced, and going down through the gears not really needed for retardation.
RCZ sits nice and snug on the road, so not comparable with the bus (5008), nor the 108, which can hop about a bit being small and light.
Tail end seemed well planted, unlike many front wheel drive hot hatches (I've had a couple) that can feet very light arsed.
Putting my foot down on a couple of occasions, through the gears, did not highlight turbo lag, if indeed there was any.
Caused a bit of a stir at the garage; big chap who often serves us, waved his arms around and jabbered with his mates as I pulled in.
He had seen the zero a few times and always asked after it and knew I was flogging it, but here I was in a classy motor not something crazy, nor completely sober either.
All changed when I insisted on diesel; turned his nose up so I had to do a bit of hard sell to reclaim kudos and cred.
On the return run, the road climbs from the plain of the Rio Tietar up into the foothills of the Sierra de Gredos, so approximately an increase in altitude of 200mtrs in about five kms; fairly steep in places but good road with sweeping bends.
Initially in fifth in a 70kph limit, but swiftly into sixth and pulling as if there was no incline, at over 100kph, 120 where straight-ish.
Then, out of interest, testing the torque, used only fifth and sixth the rest of the way home, including a short 50kph limit stretch.
What a superb power band that 2.0 HDI has!
My learning curve was reduced somewhat, as the similarities with the 5008 are quite remarkable, apart from the obvious, sharing so many of the controls (same year of manufacture, even), so I could focus on the feel of the car more.
Comfort is same but different, if that makes sense, in that the arm chairs of the 5008 become the sport style of the RCZ, but equally supportive laterally with adjustments in all directions.
Madam fiddled with them all and declared the seating adequate; an accolade, indeed.
She was quite happy for me to blat on the outward journey, nodding approval to the G force, but then she is one of the very few who "relaxed" as a passenger in the Zero.
The return leg showed the almost Jekyll and Hyde character of the RCZ, which can lift up its skirts and run, or walk sedately.
I look forward to a long run, after which I will, unless there are objections, produce a commentary.
