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Peugeot 308 Racing Cup turns hot hatch into track machine [w/video]

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We usually think of racecars as being low-slung coupes with massive engines propelling them down the track, but Peugeot is prepping the new 308 Racing Cup as a different choice for customer racers in Europe. This high-speed hatchback is largely derived from the 308 GTi and is meant for smaller events like a one-make series or the VLN at the Nürburgring. Teams can't take delivery of the Racing Cup until late 2016, but with development still ongoing, Peugeot is debuting the car at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

Of course, the heart of any racer is its engine, and Peugeot starts with the stock 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder from the 308 GTi for the Racing Cup. The engineers then bolt on the turbo from the 208 T16 Pikes Peak car to reach 308 horsepower, a 38 hp-gain. The work isn't finished yet, and the team expects that even higher output is possible.

The Racing Cup looks the part of a track weapon, too. The beefier fenders make the racer 4.2 inches wider than regular 308s, and they now fit 18-inch wheels. The ground-hugging front splitter and rear bumper should help air flow, but the most obvious change is the massive, adjustable wing hanging off the roof to keep things planted. There are also expected upgrades like bigger brakes and an adjustable suspension, and the body is strengthened to meet FIA safety rules. The complete package is slated to weigh between 2,205 and 2,315 pounds. After the Frankfurt reveal, the Racing Cup makes its public track debut at Paul Ricard on October 24-25. Get a peek in the video, below.
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THE PEUGEOT 308 RACING CUP: Bred to race

August, 27th 201527 August 2015 04:50

PEUGEOT SPORT's engineers have been busy focusing their attentions on the PEUGEOT 308 and the fruit of their know-how and expertise is the 308 GTi by PEUGEOT SPORT, the most radical model in the brand's range. Not satisfied with this successful outcome alone, they decided to go even further by conceiving a racing version of the car. And this step from the road to the racetrack has led to the creation of the PEUGEOT 308 Racing Cup!

Designed by the designers at Style Peugeot, the generous proportions and aerodynamic forms of the PEUGEOT 308 Racing Cup are clear pointers to its technological content, which has been honed by the brand in motorsport. The package will satisfy even the most exacting and discerning of customers who seek performance and driving pleasure. Powered by the same 1.6-litre THP engine as that which can be found under the bonnet of the 308 GTi by PEUGEOT SPORT, the 308 Racing Cup already produces 308hp (+38hp compared to 308 GTI by PEUGEOT SPORT) after only the first phase of its development!

A sleek, racy silhouette

Its stance, curves and aerodynamic finesse offer the first hint to the model's pedigree breeding. Based upon the PEUGEOT 308 GTi by PEUGEOT SPORT, which is widely acclaimed for its assertive character, the 308 Racing Cup adds its own distinctive muscular look.

For its wider wheels to fit, the arches have been widened, endowing the PEUGEOT 308 Racing Cup with an unmistakeable athletic look. This is most notably suggested by its larger overall width which has been extended to 1,910mm – 106mm more than the 308 GTi by PEUGEOT SPORT.

The spoiler that will adorn the rear of the car takes its inspiration directly from the WTCC regulations.
The front and rear bumpers and front splitter are specific to the 308 Racing Cup and enhance its aerodynamic efficiency with an aggressive touch.

Similarly distinctive are its 18-inch wheel rims which can be fitted with either slick or wet-weather tyres (27/65).

On-board technology

The 1.6-litre THP engine is derived directly from the powerplant which drives the 308 GTi by PEUGEOT SPORT. The brand's engine specialists at Vélizy have further honed its performance to head off an increasingly high level of competition in the motorsport arena. In this way and by incorporating the turbo used for the 208T16, the PEUGEOT 308 Racing Cup has already surpassed the 308-horsepower threshold. Ongoing development work will offer the opportunity to produce even more potent and radical performance.

The PEUGEOT 308 Racing Cup similarly borrows elements of the suspension from its road-going counterpart, such as the pivots and rear beam. In other areas, in order to adapt the car for the racetrack, the brand's engineers have opted for a number of specific parts, such as six-piston brake-callipers. Meanwhile, the six-speed sequential gearbox benefits from steering wheel-mounted paddle-shifters.

The weight of the PEUGEOT 308 Racing Cup was also a priority in its design and will be restricted to between 1,000kg and 1,050kg.

An international career ahead

The PEUGEOT 308 Racing Cup will be available from the end of 2016 to customers all around the world. It is intended that it will succeed the RCZ Racing Cup in both single-make championships and saloon and sportscar racing series such as the VLN in Germany, CER in Spain, CITE in Italy and BGDC in Belgium, or even endurance championships like the 24H Series.

A tempting cocktail to be unveiled in Frankfurt

The PEUGEOT 308 Racing Cup will appear on stage at the Frankfurt Motor Show on September 17-27. Then, trading the bright lights of Frankfurt for track action, it will be unleashed in public for the first time at Paul Ricard, France, during a demonstration run at the 2015 GT Tour's finale (October 24-25).

Watch the PEUGEOT 308 RACING CUP on Youtube : peugeotsportofficial

Technical data

Engine

Type: the 1.6-litre THP engine from the 308 GTi by PEUGEOT SPORT (turbocharger from the 208 T16)
Power: 308hp
Cubic capacity: 1,600cc
Maximum power: at least 308hp
Exhaust diameter: 70mm
Fuel tank: standard
Fuel injection: direct, high pressure

Transmission

Six-speed sequential gearbox with steering wheel-mounted paddle-shifters

Chassis

Structure: body shell reinforced by multi-point welded FIA-standard roll cage
Body: specific front and rear bumpers and wings
Glazing: polycarbonate rear side windows and rear screen
Weight: minimum: 1,000kg / maximum: 1,050kg
Front/rear weight split: 63% / 37%
Adjustable toe/camber/ride-height/rear wing angle/dampers (compression and rebound)
Jack: three pneumatic hoists

Dimensions

Length: 4,288mm (not including WTCC-spec rear wing)
Width: 1,910mm
Wheelbase: 2,620mm
Specific front and rear bumpers and wings

Aerodynamics

Front splitter
WTCC-spec rear wing

Wheels

Specific 10" x 18" wheels
Slick and wet weather tyres (27/65)

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