Peugeot 908

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Peugeot 908 Design Model

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.

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

[edit] Chassis

In preperation for new rules released by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) on June 16, 2006, which would require all LMP1 cars to be closed cockpits by 2010, Peugeot unveiled the 908 with a closed cockpit, the first Le Mans prototype since the Bentley Speed 8 to race with such a design. Peugeot's choice to use a closed cockpit was likely intended to allow easier compliance with the 2010 rules, as well as allowing Peugeot to run a larger air restrictor due to the closed cockpit design mandating the use of air conditioning.^[2]

Peugeot also felt that weight, centre of gravity, and operational drawbacks were able to be overcome by better chassis rigidity and aerodynamics with using a closed cockpit design. The cockpit uses a unique 2 part door system with the upper part of the door (the window) swinging forward and out with a hinged plate (part of the sidepod) forming the lower part of the door that can be either wung out or removed completely, this was reportedly done to allow the car to conform to current regulations regarding door size. 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 car measures 4.65 × 2 m and weights 925 kg minimum.

Peugeot announced they would build the 908 chassis themselves instead of relying on another manufacturer to build it for them. 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.

[edit] Drivetrain

The Peugeot 908 will be powered by a 5.5-litre HDi diesel engine, the maximum size allowed by Le Mans Prototype rules. 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 in preparation for a 2-car effort at Le Mans along with participation in the full 2007 Le Mans Series season. The team will be sponsored by XBox 360, Total, and tire supplier Michelin.

On January 10 at the 908's first public test at the Paul Ricard HTTT, Peugeot confirmed that the drivers of the 908 will be Stéphane Sarrazin, Nicolas Minassian, Marc Gené, and Pedro Lamy for the Le Mans Series, while Jacques Villeneuve and Sébastien Bourdais would be added for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

[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.