Peugeot 908

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The 908 is a race car built by the French automobile manufacturer Peugeot to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race starting in 2007.^[1] This effort, in development since 2005, was publicly unveiled on 15 June 2006. It will compete with the Audi R10, being the second diesel sportscar from a major manufacturer. This will also be Peugeot's first Le Mans effort since the end of the Peugeot 905 project in 1993.

The 908 named is also shared with a Peugeot concept sedan, named the 908RC, which shares the diesel V12 engine from the 908 sportscar. The Peugeot 908 is not to be confused with another sportscar of the same name that raced in the 1960s, the Porsche 908.

Contents 1 Chassis 2 Drivetrain 3 Planning 4 Peugeot 908 RC 5 References

[edit] Chassis

Peugeot announced they would build the 908 chassis themselves instead of relying on another manufacturer to build it for them. Confirming the speculation that the 908 chassis has a closed top because a larger air restrictor is allowed for cars using air conditioning to make up for the horsepower lost in running air conditioning^[2], the 908 is a closed-top car.

LMP1s will also be forced to all become closed cockpit designs by 2010 due to new ACO regulations announced on 16 June 2006, meaning that Peugeot may be ahead of the competition in their awareness of this rule change and thus designed their car accordingly.

Peugeot also felt that weight, centre of gravity height and operational problems drawbacks were overweighted by better chassis rigidity and aerodynamics. The body is a carbon fiber monocoque instead of a conventional open structure to offer better rigidity and lower weight.^[3] Front and rear suspension are linked, steering is electrically powered, magnesium wheels come from BBS.

The decision by Peugeot to build the chassis themselves has left Henri Pescarolo, who was looking for involvement in the Peugeot project, feeling that his future at Le Mans will be in doubt. The Pescarolo team has been strapped for cash since Peugeot initially dropped their engine program in 2003, and Pescarolo was looking to possibly run the factory squad, similar to the way Reinhold Joest runs the factory Audi effort. The car measures 4.65 × 2 m and weights 925 kg minimum.

Front View

Side View

Top Rear View

[edit] Drivetrain

The Peugeot 908 will be powered by an HDi diesel engine of 5.5-litre, the maximum permitted by the regulations. Its configuration is a 100° V12, the angle having been chosen to lower the center of gravity. Its output has been revealed to be over 515 kW (700PS) and 1200 N·m (885 lb·ft) of torque, nearly 10% more than Audi's victorious R10.^[4]

The use of the particulate filter is one of over a million particulate filters that have been used on Peugeot vehicles since the introduction of the 2.7 L HDi V6 in the Peugeot 607. 60 % of the cars sold by Peugeot in Europe are diesels, and even 70% in France.

Technical partners in the development of the 908 include Bosch, who will cover engine management systems and fuel injection components, Total, who will provided fuel and oil, and Michelin, the official tire supplier. The electro-pneumatic controlled gearbox is longitudinal with a maximum of 6 gear ratios, and the differential is self-locking.

[edit] Planning

On 28 September Peugeot unveiled a model of the 908 at the Mondial de l'Automobile Paris Auto Show. The V12 HDi will be started for the first time in a bench test on 30 September, while the actual first chassis will start test driving in December with Eric Hélary.

Peugeot said that it is possible that a single 908 could run at the 2007 12 Hours of Sebring in preparation for a 2-car effort at Le Mans, however the team announced their intention to participate in the full 2007 Le Mans Series season as well.

[edit] Peugeot 908 RC

The 908 RC is a luxury four-door limousine concept car equipped with the 5.5L V12 HDi diesel from the 908 sportscar installed centrally and transversally.^[5] The car is seen as a preview of the design for the upcoming Peugeot 608 luxury sedan.

[edit] References

1. ^ Peugeot Will Go to LeMans 2007 with a Diesel. Green Car Congress (15 June 2006).
2. ^ Michael J. Fuller (16 June 2006). June 2006 News. Mulsanne's Corner.
3. ^ Peugeot (28 September 2006). The Peugeot 908 V12 HDi DPFS. Press release.
4. ^ Peugeot (2006-06-15). A V12 HDi DPFS for the Peugeot 908. Press release.
5. ^ (august 2006). The 908 RC – The ultimate by Peugeot. Press release.

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