Concept cars are not the only attraction of Peugeot’s booth at this year’s Paris Motor Show. They will also unveil a new version of the RCZ sports coupe featuring a revamped face that adapts the brand’s new styling cues. The updated RCZ looks less of a simpleton, compared to the old model, and feels more elegant and classy now.

The face-lifted RCZ maintains all the nice curves of the outgoing version, including the bubble roof, but gets a new grille accentuated by a lower air intake which is extended on each side by a unique light signature, consisting of six LEDs. The interior is upgraded as well, but mostly in terms of trims and materials. For instance,  on GT models the door trim pads are trimmed with leather inserts, and two aluminium inserts adorn the dashboard and centre console.

With the new model comes new personalization options, such as new lacquered black grille bars which look sportier than the standard chrome one; three roof arch colours: Aluminium, Sand or the new Matt Black; a Black Pack for a more aggressive look; two Carbon Roof options with a Matt or Satin finish; 10 alloy designs in 18 and 19-inch sizes; and some new body decals which you better steer clear of.

You can have the new Peugeot RCZ with a 1.6 liter THP engine developing 200bhp and averaging 42 mpg, a 2.0 liter HDi diesel with 263bhp and 53 mpg, a 1.6 liter THP manual that has 156bhp and does 44 mpg, and finally an automatic version of the 156 that does 38 mpg.

If you are not in a hurry to get an RCZ though, you better hold on a while. At the end of 2013 Peugeot will introduce an ‘RCZ R‘ version with a 260 bhp engine, special suspension and wheels, and even cooler styling. That is the one to fgo for. A concept version of this car will be on display at the Paris Motor Show.