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New Audi R18 racers qualify 1-2-3 at Spa

Jeff Glucker — Sat, 07 May 2011 17:05:00 EST

Audi R18 TDI race cars qualify 1-2-3 at Spa - Click above for high-res image gallery

Audi's newest diesels are running strong. A trio of R18 TDI race cars have qualified 1-2-3 at the Le Mans Cup 1,000km of Spa. It should be noted, of course, that Peugeot's cars didn't get the chance to set qualifying times due to a red flag that ended the session for all teams.

Despite the lack of pressure from the French oil-burners, this is a strong debut showing for the new Audi R18 racers. We expect to see some exciting competition between the Audis and the 908s come race day.

New Audi R18 racers qualify 1-2-3 at Spa originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 07 May 2011 17:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Peugeot 908 HY to close Le Mans Series in hybrid style

Alex Nunez — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hybrid, Europe, Peugeot

Click above for a hi-res gallery of the Peugeot 908 HY

At the finale of the European Le Mans Series at Silverstone, Peugeot is rolling out the 908 HY, a hybrid version of the 908 HDi FAP that made the LMP1 battle at this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans a very interesting affair. The 908 HY might well be what we see at Circuit de la Sarthe next June is the ACO regs for 2009 allow it.

Under that silver livery set off by blue lightning bolts, the 908 HY incorporates a KERS; a 60kW electric motor/generator; ten lithium ion battery packs split into two locations; and a power converter that manages the energy transfer between said battery packs and the electric motor. In addition to light-duty, EV-only operation, the 908 HY can run its diesel V12 solo or it can combine the two --- the electric motor's power can be summoned to provide added boost, either on demand or automatically. According to Peugeot, the electric motor supplies 80 more horsepower for 20 seconds or so. Oh, and lest we forget, the hybrid system also saves fuel without diminishing the 908's already impressive performance capabilities.

The Peugeots at Le Mans this summer were fast, but when the checkered flag waved, it was Audi atop the podium once again. You know French automaker desperately wants to win Le Mans and knock its German rival off the top step, and this evolution of the 908 HDi FAP might well be the car to do it -- if the rules let it in, and if it can hold up for the duration of the race. Here's hoping the 908 HY makes the cut in the eyes of the ACO, because watching Peugot go for the brass ring should provide plenty of excitement for motorsport aficionados. Thanks for the heads-up, Richard.

Gallery: Peugeot 908 HY

[Source: Peugeot via Supercars.net]

Continue reading Peugeot 908 HY to close Le Mans Series in hybrid style

Peugeot 908 HY to close Le Mans Series in hybrid style originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 14 Sep 2008 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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1 for 1: Peugeot 908 HDi FAP wins race debut

Alex Nunez — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 15:29:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, PSA

Click image for high-res photo gallery of the Peugeot 908 HDi in action

The first real test of Peugeot Total's Le Mans-bound 908 HDi FAP prototype was a resounding success. The pair of diesel-powered prototypes finished 1st and 3rd in this weekend's 1000 kilometer Le Mans series race at Monza. The winning car, #7, driven by Nicolas Minassian and Marc Gené encountered two minor problems: a door that did not shut properly and an oil pressure sensor warning light. The #8 car, piloted by Stephane Sarrazin and Pedro Lamy, had a gearbox problem that caused them to lose time in the pits while it was repaired. Still, the team was able to get the car back on the circuit and guide it to a podium finish. Second place was taken by the #16 Pescarolo Judd. You can read Peugeot's release after the jump, and view the full race results here.

[Source: Peugeot Sport]

Gallery: Peugeot 908 HDi win at Monza

Gallery: Peugeot 908 HDi

Continue reading 1 for 1: Peugeot 908 HDi FAP wins race debut

1 for 1: Peugeot 908 HDi FAP wins race debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Apr 2007 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Le Mans-bound Peugeot 908's race livery unveiled

Alex Nunez — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 12:54:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Europe, PSA

Click image for hires photo gallery

As you can see above, Peugeot has unveiled the official race livery for the fantastic-looking 908 Le Mans prototype that the automaker will campaign as a two-car team in the European Le Mans Series and the fabled 24 Hours of Le Mans. Those of you who've been following the car's development know that it's driven by Peugeot's HDi FAP V12 diesel engine, which should produce upwards of 700 horsepower and an monstrous 850 ft-lbs of torque. Le Mans will provide motorsports fanatics with the ultimate showdown, as the closed-roof French racer takes on Germany's world-beating Audi R10 TDI pair in what's sure to be match for the ages. It will be the first time the cars compete against each other, as the Audis remain stateside competing in the American Le Mans Series while the Peugeots campaign in Europe. This is gonna be a lot of fun to watch.

Three more shots of the Pug in its race threads can be found in the attached gallery, which also contains a slew of other images ranging from the HDi FAP V12 to the unpainted car undergoing testing.

[Source: Peugeot]

Gallery: Peugeot 908 HDi

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Le Mans-bound Peugeot 908's race livery unveiled originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Mar 2007 12:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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