Peugeot are building up to the unveiling of the most powerful and fastest road car they’ve ever built, the RCZ R. The big event will happen at this weekend’s Goodwood Festival Of Speed but in the meantime they’ve released some new images of this sleek coupe.

Previous shots showed the concept version of the RCZ R with matt black paint and gold highlights but this picture of the production version is a much more colourful affair. The gloss red paint is contrasted by matt black roof and side pillars, with gorgeous two-tone 19-inch wheels sporting R logos.

At the rear is a large fixed spoiler, replacing the popup version on standard RCZs, and a pair of big chrome-tipped exhausts jut out from under the rear bumper.

The Peugeot RCZ R is more than just a pretty face. The 1.6 THP is now pushing out 270bhp, giving it the highest specific output of any engine in its class. With a 17kg reduction in weight the RCZ R boasts a power to weight ratio of 210.94/ton.

It’ll hit 60mph in under 6 seconds and with a Torsen limited slip differential on the front axle it should even be capable of tackling corners. Top speed is limited to 155mph and it can accelerate from 50 to 70mph in 6th gear in just 6.8 seconds.

After the rave reviews of the 208 GTI and now with the Pikes Peak record firmly  in Peugeot’s hands it appears the French firm is on a roll. The RCZ R shows that they’re once again serious about performance cars, and with talk of a ‘R’ sub-brand appearing this could we could be seeing even more. I really do hope so.