Peugeot to return to Le Mans with a Diesel

[Wouter Melissen]

In perfect keeping with its values, which include dynamism and innovation, Peugeot is to take up a new technological challenge with a view to winning the Le Mans 24 Hours with an HDi diesel-powered car equipped with a diesel particulate filter system (DPFS).

The history of the make has always been actively associated with world class motor sport and its record features a long list of wins and titles, both in rallying and in circuit racing across the globe.

When it first announced its intention to withdraw from the World Rally Championship at the end of 2005, Peugeot underlined its determination to pursue its policy of competing at the highest level and has decided on an innovative objective: victory in the celebrated Le Mans 24 Hours with a diesel-powered car.

While this new programme will focus on the great French endurance classic, it will also take in the five rounds of the Le Mans Endurance Series (Spa, Monza, Silverstone, Nürburgring and Istanbul).

The Le Mans 24 Hours has always stood out as a pitiless test-bed when it comes to validating technological breakthroughs that can be carried over to road cars. It is also a race that enjoys outstanding media coverage and last year's event, which attracted a crowd of more than 200,000 spectators, was broadcast to 228 million television viewers worldwide.

Once the programme's feasibility has been confirmed in the early part of 2006, Peugeot Sport will begin development work on the chassis and engine in close collaboration with PSA Peugeot Citroën's Engineering Department, the expertise of which in the realm of diesel technology is universally recognised.

The new car will run for the first time at the end of the same year, which means Peugeot will begin racing it in 2007.

"This is an extremely stimulating new challenge and I am convinced it will generate considerable interest throughout our staff and across our sales networks. I hope this ambitious yet completely achievable project will provide us with a fresh opportunity to demonstrate our ability to win," declared Frédéric Saint-Geours, Managing Director of Automobiles Peugeot.

I hope they can come up with a gearbox that can handle the torque.

[pimento]

Wow, might we find one of the world's first awesome diesels? One that isn't an off-roader, anyway.

[Wouter Melissen]

Last year a diesel engined Lola attempted to compete at Le Mans, but it was withdrawn, because the engine characteristics did not make driving easy at all. It was quite volitile.

[lightweight]

Well they sure have the advantage of less fuel consumption and therefore less fuel to carry on board.
I agree though that the tyres will suffer from the torque. Maybe they should work a bit more on aerodynamics to reduce tyre wear.

What do the rules say on diesel?

Team Nasamax raced a car fueled by bioethanol. It used a CART V8 modified to suit the new rules. The main problem was that bio-ethanol has about 3/4 of the energy that petrol has. So they pitted a lot! This was an effort said to be backed by Ford USA, hence the CART engine.

[Wouter Melissen]

Originally Posted by lightweight

Team Nasamax raced a car fueled by bioethanol. It used a CART V8 modified to suit the new rules. The main problem was that bio-ethanol has about 3/4 of the energy that petrol has. So they pitted a lot! This was an effort said to be backed by Ford USA, hence the CART engine.

They were allowed to run with bigger tanks. More info on this car can be found on the main page. I'm not sure why exactly, but the Team withdrew from Le Mans this year, despite looking pretty good in Spa last September.

EDIT: The link: http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame...hp&carnum=2083