Double-bubble roof and rear screen is a key part of the RCZ style signature.

The Peugeot RCZ has a tough job ahead.

Aside from establishing itself as a stylish and classy sports coupe, the RCZ must also help to change the perception of Peugeot from a maker of competent but largely uninspiring cars, into a forward-thinking creator of desirable and dynamic automobiles.

Tall order? Yes, perhaps - but the RCZ might just be good enough to deliver.

It lays claim to a string of firsts:

The RCZ is the first Peugeot to wear the new Lion corporate identity and also the first model in Peugeot’s new ‘Hors Serie’ range (officials were cagey about what’s coming next). Uniquely, it is also described as the first Peugeot to bear a ‘name’ (I think of it more as a string of letters) rather than a number.

I drove petrol and diesel versions of the strikingly styled 2+2 at the launch in Spain over a 240 km test route which featured some challenging mountain roads and found both derivatives to be extremely capable, and more importantly, lots of fun.

The 1.6-litre 200 bhp petrol model (not available in the UK from launch) packed sufficient punch (275 Nm of torque to be precise) to stretch the well-sorted chassis, but the RCZ never put a foot wrong. Handling and roadholding were exemplary and the power delivery was silky.

In contrast, hustling the heavier diesel RCZ required a slightly different driving style but that did not to detract from its charm. It lacked the front strut brace of the petrol model but the handling was still neat and the 340 Nm of torque and 163 horsepower delivered smiles aplenty and 0-62 in 8.2 seconds against 7.5 for the petrol model.

Comparisons to the Audi TT are inevitable given the RCZ’s proportions and fast roofline and I got the distinct impression that Peugeot officials didn’t mind the car being mentioned in the same breath as the well-established and highly successful premium German product.

On the design front, I was not alone in noticing another German influence in the RCZ’s haunches, which bear a strong resemblance to the classic VW Karmann Ghia.

The RCZ will be built by Magna in Austria and Peugeot expects to sell 17,000 units in its first full year of production (2011).

UK prices start at £20,450 for the 156 bhp petrol Sport model and top out at £25,050 for the 200 bhp GT.

Build quality, fit and finish is of a high standard and the pricing looks keen so it’s hard to see how the RCZ can fail to make a positive impact on the coupe market as well as Peugeot’s brand image.

Check out more pictures of the Peugeot RCZ launch in our photo gallery.