2012 Peugeot Sports Cars 908 Hybrid4 Race Car

2012 Peugeot Sports Cars 908 Hybrid4 Race Car

Following the launch in Paris of the Peugeot 908 in February, a diesel-hybrid version of the new car has now been unveiled at this year's Geneva Motor Show. After Gumpert Apollo Hybrid and Porsche GT3 Hybrid, Peugeot is the next one with hybrid race car in the Le Mans. Gorgeous looking and hell-fast Peugeot 908 Hybrid4 is here. After months of speculations and tests Peugeot finally confirmed that 2012 Peugeot Sports Cars 908 Hybrid4 Race Car will be used in test for this year Len Mans on 24th April 2011. The newcomer has already been set ambitious targets for the 2011 season.

The new 2012 Peugeot Sports Cars 908 Hybrid4 Race Car has been designed to comply with the latest endurance racing regulations and will play a major part in the Brand's 2011 environmental strategy. Indeed, the combination of driving excitement with environmentally-respectful performance of the very highest level is ingrained into the heart of the Peugeot brand identity. This commitment will now also be championed by the HYbrid4 technology which combines diesel and electric power, two areas in which the Brand has forged a solid reputation for excellence.

2012 Peugeot Sports Cars 908 Hybrid4 Race Car

Peugeot’s regenerative breaking system will bring in boost of 80 hp and depend on lithium-ion batteries. This is similar to the first generation Zytek hybrid, utilizing a battery storage system instead of a flywheel-based unit which Porsche implemented in their race car 911 GT3 R Hybrid. Additional fuel saving will be achieved by using electric-only mode in the pit-lane, which is under ACO rules, and Peugeot 908 Hybrid4 will bank on it. Main power unit will be all-new 550-horsepower 3.7-liter V8 turbodiesel, backed up by a six-speed sequential gearbox.

2012 Peugeot Sports Cars 908 Hybrid4 Race Car

The system employed by the 2012 Peugeot Sports Cars 908 Hybrid4 Race Car recovers and stores the kinetic energy generated under braking, before feeding it back into the driveline during acceleration. Using this recovered energy in this way significantly improves the efficiency of the power-train.

2012 Peugeot Sports Cars 908 Hybrid4 Race Car

The system provides a short power boost of 60kW (80hp) for a few seconds when it is activated. Recovered energy (500kJ between two braking phases) is stored in lithium-ion batteries before being automatically released to power the rear wheels under acceleration (there is no "push to pass" function). It will also be possible to run in electric only mode along the pit-lane and it is this mode that will be used for the car's homologation.

Beautiful hybrid car with powerful diesel engine. Unmistakable that is Peugeot. And another win for French car industry and their eco-friendly approcach to fast cars.

2012 Peugeot Sports Cars 908 Hybrid4 Race Car – Technical Data

Chassis: Carbon monocoque

Gearbox: Sequential, hydraulic, six forward speeds plus reverse

Internal combustion engine

- Diesel, V8 HDi FAP

- Cubic capacity: 3.7 literss

- Power: 550 horsepower

2012 Peugeot Sports Cars 908 Hybrid4 Race Car

Hybrid system:

- Power: 60kW (80hp) During energy delivery phases only

Delivery of recovered energy:

- To the rear wheels;

- 500kJ between two braking phases;

- Energy stored in lithium-ion batteries;

- Automatic delivery of energy under acceleration (no "push to pass" function).

- It is also possible to use the electric mode only along the pit lane.

2012 Peugeot Sports Cars 908 Hybrid4 Race Car

Dimensions:

- Length: 4,640mm

- Width: 2,000mm

- Wheelbase: 2,950mm

- Height: 1,030mm

- Weight: 900kg

2012 Peugeot Sports Cars 908 Hybrid4 Race Car

Peugeot's Special Editions of RCZ and 3008 Hybrid4

Unless Peugeot is hiding a surprise in its pouch, the French carmaker's presence at the upcoming Geneva Salon will most likely go under the radar. Aside from the subtly facelifted 308 family which includes the hatchback models, an estate and the coupe-cabriolet, Peugeot's stand will also host the premiere of two limited edition models.

The first is the RCZ Asphalt which is based on the most potent variant of the coupe model with the 200-horsepower 1.6-liter turbocharged engine, and is set to go on sale in Europe this spring. Exclusive features include a matt grey body colour, two-tone 19-inch alloy wheels and numerous other interior and exterior appointments.

The second model is a limited edition of the 3008 HYbrid4 crossover, which features a 163HP turbo diesel driving the front wheels and an 37HP electric motor at the rear for a maximum power output of 200-horses, a “zero emission” mode and an average fuel consumption of 74.4 mpg UK, equal to 3.8lt/100km and 61.9 mpg US. Production will be limited to 300 numbered cars, all of which get a Pearlescent White exterior finish and two-tone full leather trim.

The 308 facelift and the two special edition models will be joined by two older concept studies, the HR1 and EX1, plus the new 908 Le Mans race car which was unveiled by Peugeot Sport in February.

Peugeot Releases First Details on New 908 Le Mans Racer with V8 Turbo Diesel

At a special event held in Paris, French automaker Peugeot released the first details on its new 908 endurance racecar, with which it will participate at this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup (ILMC). Codenamed 90X, the competition model features an all-new 550HP 3.7-liter V8 diesel engine that replaces the 2010 908 HDi FAP's 5.5-liter V12 oil-burner and complies with the new regulations introduced for 2011, including the demand for a “shark fin engine cover”.

The 908 moniker was retained to emphasize Peugeot’s past successes in endurance racing, but also to create a link to the brand’s road cars.

“We have chosen 908 as the name of the new car in order to build on the wave of success with which it is associated,” said Peugeot’s Director of Marketing and Communications, Xavier Peugeot. “At the same time, the new car fits perfectly with the brands new modern image. It mirrors the modernity that is clearly visible in the new 508 and the recently announced new 308. At Peugeot, we have always sought to associate our commitment to motor sport with the real world and with our model range. The name 908 consequently stood out as the obvious choice.”

The development of the race car started in 2009, immediately after Peugeot’s one-two finish at Le Mans. Engineers used the experience accumulated with the 908 HDi FAP, but, ultimately, the 908 is new from ground up.

“The regulations have evolved a great deal but we didn’t start with a clean sheet of paper,” Bruno Famin, Peugeot Sport’s Technical Director, said. “The experience we have gained over the past four years helped to steer the decision-making process and our technical choices, although the only component which has been carried over at the end of the day is the windscreen wiper!”

A lot is expected from the 908, as Peugeot wants to defend the ILMC title it won last year and also wants to challenge Audi’s R18 for the 2011 24 Hours of Le Mans crown.

For more information, check out the brief technical overview given by Bruno Famin, available below.

By Csaba Daradics

908 Overview

A closed-cockpit car: “we knew from previous testing work that there is little significant difference between open and closed cockpit cars in terms of their aerodynamic performance. At the same time, despite the added constraints they bring when working on them at races, closed-cockpit cars provide additional safety for the drivers. We therefore decided to stay with the same solution.”

Engine: “We have also made full use of our experience with the 908 HDi FAP’s V12 diesel engine. We decided to opt for a turbocharged V8 diesel engine for the 908 but, with characteristics which are very similar to those of the V12. The angle of the “vee” is 90 degrees (compared with 100 degrees in the case of the V12) to improve the engine balance. The cubic capacity is 3.7 litres and the new V8 HDi FAP engine produces a peak power of 550 bhp. We ran the engine for the first time on the dyno on January 25, 2010.”

Four identical wheels: “Today’s LMP cars have a shortcoming with regards to ultimate grip of the front wheels. The logical way to cure this was to increase the size of the contact patch between the tires and the track, which entailed running bigger front wheels, within the limits specified by the regulations. This aspect of the car’s development was carried out in close collaboration with our partner Michelin.”

Aerodynamics: “Given the big reduction in engine power resulting from the 2011 regulations (a reduction of approximately 150 bhp), we had to take a fresh look at the trade-off between aerodynamics, drag and down force. The latter has been significantly reduced in order to maintain a reasonably high top speed.”

The new car made its track made its track debut on 27th July 2010. “This was the deadline we set ourselves, although we knew we would almost certainly run into teething trouble given that this was an all-new car. We did indeed have problems but we succeeded in resolving them one by one as we got more and more kilometres on the clock. One of the very positive points we found was that the car’s handling lived up to our expectations straight out of the box. Between the car’s track debut in 2010 and the 2011 Le Mans 24 Hours, we will have completed twelve tests in all, at a number of different circuits,” concludes Bruno Famin.

Peugeot Shows the New Face of 308 Range Ahead of the Geneva Salon

At next month's Geneva Motor Show, Peugeot will unveil its refreshed 308 range that enters the 2011 model year with some subtle styling changes, revised powertrains and the introduction of a fuel efficient micro-hybrid e-HDi variant with CO2 emissions under 100g/km.

All three body styles of the Ford Focus-rivaling 308, including the hatchback, CC coupe-convertible and the SW station wagon, have been given a new face that subtly incorporates the latest stylistic codes of the Peugeot brand.

This translates to a less smiley and more compact sized front grille, reshaped LED headlamps and running lights, a new hood design and a re-sculptured front bumper. The fresh alloy wheel designs, new brand logos and some trim changes on certain models complete the exterior makeover.

Interior revisions come in the form of new available colors and materials for the seats and dashboard trim.

Without getting into any specific details, Peugeot said it has reduced the overall weight by an average of 25kg or 55 pounds across the range. Other improvements include the fitment of 16-inch wheels on ultra low rolling resistance tires on certain models, and the optimization of all available diesel and petrol engine options.

From the summer of 2011, Peugeot will also add a new micro-hybrid e-HDi variant that combines a stop-start system and a smart alternator able to recover energy during braking, with a 1.6-liter HDi FAP 112HP Euro 5 diesel engine, hooked up to either a six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed electronically controlled manual gearbox (EGC). According to the French automaker, the 308 micro-hybrid e-HDi model reduces CO2 emissions to 98 g/km.

The new Peugeot 308 will go on sale across Europe shortly after its world premiere at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show.