Peugeot 908 HDi Le Mans challenger announced

[Sauc3]

PEUGEOT 908 – LE MANS CHALLENGER POWERED BY HDi

Peugeot’s road car HDi diesel technology is to be showcased in Le Mans endurance series in 2007
New V12 HDi DPFS diesel engine to power Peugeot 908 racecar
On 14 June 2005, Peugeot announced its decision to take up a new technological challenge: to win one of the most prestigious and most demanding motor races in the world, the Le Mans 24-hour race, with the Peugeot 908, a car powered by a V12 HDi diesel engine, equipped with a diesel particulate filter system (DPFS).

This new car will follow in the footsteps of the legendary Peugeot 905, winner of the World Sports Car Championship and Le Mans 24-hour race in 1992 and the historic one, two, three finish in 1993.

Unlike the 905 which was powered by a 3.5-litre V10 petrol engine, the new contender will be powered by a 5.5-litre 100o V12 HDi diesel engine. This is the maximum engine size that regulations allow and was chosen for its efficient operation at low engine speeds. It also enables engine power to be limited in the first instance, but also enables further development.

The level of performance expected – more than 515kW (700 bhp) of power and a torque output greater than 1,200 Nm – is without precedent in a diesel engine and is a direct result of Peugeot’s current level of know-how in diesel technology, linked to the mechanical characteristics of the V12.

The choice of a V12 engine helps keep the cylinder bore diameter very close to that of a production series engine. In doing so, Peugeot can call on its extensive knowledge of diesel combustion, obtained during the development of the current HDi diesel engines. It also ensures the engine has a reasonable length piston stroke.
The V12 architecture, well known for its good balance, also reduces vibration to a minimum. The V12 engine uses a 100o V angle for its architecture, which has allowed its centre of gravity to be lowered without affecting the torsional rigidity of the engine.

Two diesel particulate filters are mounted at the end of each of the exhaust systems. Through technology which has come directly from production cars, they will provide a guaranteed control of exhaust emissions under all operating conditions.

Back in 2000, Peugeot confirmed its commitment and strategic policy to reduce exhaust emissions, with the fitment of a diesel particulate filter system (DPFS) as standard equipment on the HDi diesel engine in the 607. The success of this commitment was demonstrated in December 2005 when Peugeot celebrated the production of the one-millionth vehicle fitted with a diesel particulate filter system.

Today, it is the production car which brings its HDi diesel particulate filter technology to the competition arena, in order to show its qualities in extreme conditions of endurance and performance, all the while respecting the environment.

The next important dates:
28 September 2006: Presentation of the scale model at the Paris Motor Show
30 September 2006: Peugeot V12 HDi DPFS engine to be run on engine test bed
December 2006: First drive of the car by test driver Eric Hélary (winner of the 1993 Le Mans 24-hour race in the Peugeot 905)
Peugeot’s main partners for the Le Mans Series programme are Total, Michelin and Bosch; Eurodatacar will also be working on the Le Mans Series programme.

[Ferrer]

Interesting. Now the race tracks will be full of tractors...

[RacingManiac]

Impressive figures.....700bhp and 850+lb-ft of torque.

When a french company wants to win Le Mans, you better watchout....

[h00t_h00t]

Everyone is going diesel then, when can we expect the first diesel GT class cars?

[Jack_Bauer]

According to reports in the French press today, Peugeot are planning this week to announce the driver line-ups for their 908 HDi Le Mans campaign this year. The hot rumour is that former F1 champ Jacques Villeneuve will be the headline driver, along with triple Champcar champion Sebastian Bourdais and Ferrari F1 test driver Marc Gene.

If Villeneuve is indeed confirmed as expected then he will get a shot at becoming the only man in history to win the F1 WDC, the Indianapolis 500, Champcar world title, and Le Mans 24 hours race. Mario Andretti and Emerson Fittipaldi have won the F1 title, Indy 500 race and Champcar title, and Graham Hill has won the F1 title, Indy 500 and Le Mans 24hrs, but nobody has yet collected the full set.

[henk4]

I think Graham was not too concerned about not having the Champ Car title

[Wouter Melissen]

Pictures:
http://www.endurance-info.com/articl...d=3030&thold=0

[jediali]

i find the delayed exhaust port branching interesting. I wonder if this increases gas flow or helps with turbulance. Perhaps it helps cylinder cooling or its strength.

[JRodrigues]

Pedro Lamy is said to be driving this car.. One of the top GT drivers is finally getting a chance of winning Le Mans.

[johnnyperl]

More pictures, including from the first test HERE

[Jack_Bauer]

This picture is awesome...



Also, what the hell is going on with JV's hair?! He's looking more and more like a hobbit every time I see him!

[Cotterik]

so they plan to employ the worlds number 1 idiot to drive their new cool car. why?

[The_Canuck]

So this will compete in LMP1? Can't wait to see the Audi vs Peugeot battle...

[Zytek_Fan]

Nicolas Minassian and Stephane Sarrazin and former F1 racers Pedro Lamy and Marc Gene will race the new cars in the Le Mans Series throughout the year, and will be joined for the Le Mans 24 Hours by former Formula One world champion Jacques Villeneuve and triple Champ Car title winner Sebastien Bourdais. Another Frenchman, Eric Helary, will act as test and reserve driver.


The car will be at the Sebring Test but will not race.

[Wouter Melissen]

Originally Posted by Cotterik

so they plan to employ the worlds number 1 idiot to drive their new cool car. why?

Maybe because he is one of the most successful and skileld racing drivers of the last fifteen years.