Filed under: Motorsports, PeugeotIt was a record setting day yesterday at Road Atlanta, with all four classes setting qualifying records including a blistering 1:06.242 by Stephane Sarrazin in his Peugeot 908 HDi to take the top overall spot. Peugeot has continually proved that it has a fast car, taking the last two pole positions at […]
Filed under: Diesel, Hybrid, Audi, Legislation and Policy, Peugeot
It seems that Audi and Peugeot’s winning ways have not gone unnoticed by the powers-that-be in the assorted racing series in which they compete. Whenever a design does well in racing, you can count on a few things happening, usually either other teams begin using that particular technology, rule modifications are made to minimize its advantage or it gets banned entirely. This seems to be exactly what is taking place with the turbo diesel engines now being used in the Le Mans racing series. The Automobile Club de l’Quest, the sanctioning body of the series, will mandate smaller air-restrictor size and reduced turbo pressure for the hugely powerful oil-burners.
Other changes will be made across all teams and cars, regardless of fuel type, including smaller rear wings, one tire gun in the pits and no tire heaters. These latter modifications are supposed to make the cars a bit slower and make them cheaper to operate. Perhaps Peugeot had an idea that changes might be made when it developed its new hybrid racer. As technology marches on, so must the rules … and the teams’ attempts to stay one step ahead.
Gallery: Peugeot 908 HY
[Source: Autosport]
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Filed under: Diesel, Hybrid, Peugeot
In the current world of big time international endurance racing, two cars stand head and shoulders above the rest, the Audi R10 TDI and the Peugeot 908 HDi. Put these two Le Mans Prototype class 1 cars, both powered by 5.5L turbo diesel V12s, on a wide open track and nothing can run with them. With Formula 1 introducing hybrid kinetic energy recovery systems (KERS) in 2009 and the American Le Mans Series introducing a Green Challenge award, Peugeot has decided to take the next step with its program. The French manufacturer is using the last race of the 2008 Le Mans Series at Sliverstone to unveil a demonstrator called the 908 HY which may foreshadow the next generation of its Le Mans challenger. The 908 HY adds a 60 kW electric motor, a set of lithium ion battery packs and corresponding power electronics. The diesel hybrid system will allow the car to operate in electric-only mode in the pits, and get a power boost on the track thanks to recaptured kinetic energy. The current demonstrator has a net weight gain of 45 kg (99 lbs) compared to the standard car. Whether Peugeot runs a car based on this powertrain depends on the ACO, the organization that sets the rules for Le Mans. Corsa Motorsports recently announced its plans to compete in the American Le Mans Series beginning next month with an E10 fueled hybrid electric racer.
Gallery: Peugeot 908 HY
[Source: Peugeot]
Continue reading Peugeot shows new 908 HY diesel-hybrid Le Mans racer!