Spy shots: Peugeot 308 RC Z coupe

The midsize Peugeot 308 is one of the most flexible vehicles in the French carmaker’s lineup, spawning numerous variants such as the regular three and five-door hatchbacks, SW wagon, as well as the stylish CC convertible. However, there is at least one more 308 variant in the works and it’s destined to be the most exciting of them all.

That is Peugeot 308 RC Z. Peugeot first showed the 308 RC-Z Concept car at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. Now the French automaker appears determined to bring the car into production. The production RC Z is expected to debut at this fall's Frankfurt Auto Show, and goes on sale in 2010.

The car, spotted here with very little camouflage, does bear a certain resemblance to the previous-generation Audi TT. But no observer is likely to confuse the two. Heavily flared fenders, a longer rear deck line and Peugeot's chunky front-end design - still slightly obscured here - will make the 308 RC Z stand out from the crowd.

The RC-Z will probably hit the streets with the same engines as higher-level 308 models with a rumoured 250hp (184kW) motor mentioned. With figures like that, the car will definitely have to focus on nimble handling to meet its performance targets. Turbo diesels are probably going to be included as well.

With the emergence of this new set of spy photos, however, it's clear that Peugeot is well along the way toward the development of the 308 RC Z Coupe, and we can expect more details to appear as we approach September’s Frankfurt Motor Show.