Peugeot 908
Peugeot 908 at Le Mans pre-test 2011
The Peugeot 908 is a Sports - prototype of the French car manufacturer Peugeot. The car was designed and built specifically for the 24- hour race at Le Mans and the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup ( ILMC ).
History
The sports - prototype was developed in 2011 on the basis of the preceding Peugeot 908 HDi FAP.
In the first race of the ILMC, the 12 Hours of Sebring race, achieved by the two Peugeot 908 used space 3 and 8, the winner was Team Oreca Matmut with the previous model 908 HDi FAP of it. The second race at Spa- Francorchamps graduated from Peugeot with a double victory. At the 24 - hour race at Le Mans 2011, the three being beaten Peugeot factory vehicles took places 2-4 overall. The best-placed Peugeot 908 had it only 13 seconds behind the winning Audi R18. In the remaining four rounds of the ILMC at Imola, Silverstone, Road Atlanta and Zhuhai respectively Peugeot won the day, thus securing even the manufacturer's Cup and Team Cup the LMP1 class.
Technology
Due to the rule changes in 2011, however, a smaller diesel engine than the previous model was built. It is a V8 engine with 3.7 liters of displacement, delivering 405 kW ( 550 hp). Was above the engine cover, in accordance with the rule changes, a fin added, which should prevent a rollover of the vehicle in an accident. In addition, the same tire size as on the rear axle now has been used on the front axle on both axles magnesium wheels were fitted with 14.5 inch width, which were frosted with Michelin radial tire size 37/71-18. Further modifications of the chassis should improve the driveability of the vehicle.
Peugeot 908 Hybrid4
At the Geneva Motor Show 2011 Peugeot presented the 908 Hybrid4 hybrid variant, which additionally comprises a 59 kW electric motor possessed, which automatically led his force on the rear axle. Its drive energy stored in lithium - ion batteries that could hold an energy of up to 500 kJ in a braking operation. The system was different from the KERS system in Formula 1 is not activated by pressing a button from the driver, but worked independently. Despite the additional hybrid system that prescribed in the regulations minimum weight of 900 kg was not exceeded.
The hybrid version should be used in the Le Mans pre-test 2011. On 11 April 2011 Peugeot announced to want to fully concentrate because of doubts about the reliability of hybrid technology on the use of the normal version of the Peugeot 908. A racing debut of the hybrid variant, it will give the earliest in November at the final race of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup 2011.
In mid-November 2011, when the race calendar of the new FIA World Endurance Championship ( WEC) was presented to Peugeot technical director Bruno Famin was positive about the inclusion of other races among others in Brazil. However, he also feared cost increases that are now advertised World Cup will draw more numerous tests by themselves, and due to the distribution of the races are expected to logistics problems. On January 18, 2012 Peugeot announced that the team in 2012 will not be standing for WEC, nor to the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The cause for the immediate withdrawal from endurance racing economic difficulties in the European market were specified. On March 30, 2012 made Bruno Famin more information on setting the racing program known. Accordingly, the hybrid drive had proved in extensive tests and internally, a plan had been worked out to cost reduction. For the first five WEC races including the race at Le Mans factory two 908 Hybrid4 would have been used. The last three races would have denied a new private team. This project was, however, short-term rejected by the PSA Board. The 908 Hybrid4 never came thus to use under competition conditions.