THE marvellous Peugeot RCZ sadly went out of production earlier this year and that is a real shame.

It's a stunning-looking car that drives just as well as it looks and I can remember pedestrians walking into lamp posts as they stared at the first one I got to drive.

I have managed to try out the 160bhp diesel and both the 156 and 200bhp petrols and they are all electrifying from behind the wheel.

The diesel has plenty of performance and amazing economy, pushing 47 miles per gallon. Who says you can't have your cake and eat it.

And even the ‘basic' 156bhp petrol is right up there in top sports car country, with superb acceleration that makes any straight piece of road safe overtaking country.

The engines are smooth and refined and so is the up-market ambiance on the inside.

Handling and road holding are also right out of the top drawer with tremendous grip and marvellously tactile precise and informative steering.

Push any RCZ along a country road and you will have as much fun as you would in a Porsche - that's how good it is.

On top of that, it's a good deal more comfortable than most such out and out sports coupes, with a slightly jittery feel in town replaced by smooth and untrammelled progress on the open road.

The RCZ is basically a two seater, but there is a pair of small seats behind where one adult can sit across for a short journey and where there's enough space for a couple of small children to sit in car seats.

The boot is a very good size compared to most such coupes and the rear seats fold to make more whenever its needed.

Very generous equipment in standard trim means they lack nothing most people would want and most first owners will have personalized their cars from the wide range of options.

Standard equipment in Sport spec includes 18 inch alloys, sports seats, climate, alarm cruise, traction control, plenty of seat and column adjustment and a CD stereo.

The 156bhp petrol will do about 35mpg in real driving and has decently low emissions of 149 grammes per kilometre. Insurance is group 28 so shop around to get the best deal.

Pay about £11,700 for a '13 13-reg THP Sport 156bhp, or £15,150 for a '14 14-reg GT 200bhp.