Peugeot RCZ named 'Best Sports Car' by Diesel Car magazine

For the third straight year, the Peugeot RCZ HDi has been named by Diesel Car magazine as its 'Best Sports Car', trumping the Mini Roadster and the Vauxhall Astra GTC.

"Its road-hugging stance, curvy shape and swoopy grooved top make it an instant head-turner," said Diesel Car editor Ian Robertson. "Performance defines a sports car, while styling delivers the wow factor. The RCZ has both in spades."

Diesel Car is reportedly the United Kingdom's leading magazine for diesel and alternative-fuel vehicles.

According to the publication, the RCZ "has many virtues beyond its attractive and curvaceous bodywork." Although its double-bubble roof and two aluminum roof arches are its most distinctive features, the RCZ is also a practical coupe as the seatbacks of its two rear seats can be folded down to increase its cargo-carrying capacity from 384 to 760 liters.

Powering the two-door coupe is a 2.0-liter in-line-four diesel mill that produces 163hp and 340Nm of torque.

The Peugeot RCZ is one of the vehicles that the French carmaker has confirmed for the Philippine market this year.