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Diesel-powered Mazda6 going racing in Grand-Am Series

Jeffrey N. Ross — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Sedan, Mazda, Diesel

The diesel version of the 2014 Mazda6 won't be hitting North American showrooms until the middle of next year, but we won't have to wait that long to see the car in action. Mazda will enter its midsize sedan in the new Grand-Am GX class with a Skyactiv-D clean diesel engine under the hood, and the car will make its racing debut at the Rolex 24 at Daytona on January 26. This will be the first time in the race's 60-year history that a diesel-powered car has competed in the 24-hour race.

We first heard about the 2.2-liter turbocharged Skyactiv-D race engine back in June, but we now know it will used in the Mazda6 and we have a little bit better of an idea of power output. Developed in conjunction with SpeedSource, the clean diesel racer is said to produce more than 400 horsepower using many of the same components that will be found on the passenger version of the car.

The newly created GX class will race against the Daytona Prototypes and GT class cars, and its goal is to provide a race class for alternative fuels and technologies. In addition to the Mazda6, the Lotus Evora GX will also compete in the this class, which will be composed of 13 models from 12 automakers - including Audi, Hyundai, Ford and Scion.

Scroll down for Mazda's press release, and be sure to check out the Grand-Am link for more information.

Continue reading Diesel-powered Mazda6 going racing in Grand-Am Series

Diesel-powered Mazda6 going racing in Grand-Am Series originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Nov 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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More details on the 2011 Le Mans technical regulations, now with hybrid power

Sam Abuelsamid — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hybrid, Audi, Honda, Porsche, Peugeot, Diesel, Racing

Peugeot 908-HY hybrid prototype - Click above for high-res image gallery

On Thursday, June 10, the Automobile Club de L'Ouest (ACO), which organizes the 24 Hours of Le Mans, held its annual press conference and announced new technical regulations for the 2011 event as well as the European Le Mans Series. The ACO has long encouraged a variety of powerplant configurations, which is what prompted first Audi and then Peugeot to develop diesel-powered prototypes. 2011 will bring the official introduction hybrid power to Le Mans racing in all of the new classes.

Next year the club will move even further in the direction already pioneered by the American Le Mans Series with its "green racing" initiatives. The top LMP1 class will adopt what are essentially the current LMP2 rules, with gasoline racing engines limited to 3.4 liters normally aspirated or 2.0 liters turbocharged. Diesels can displace no more than 3.7 liters. The current LMP1 cars will be allowed to compete in 2011, but performance will be restricted by as-yet-unannounced means that will likely include more weight and smaller air restrictors. Check out the rest of the changes after the jump.

Gallery: Geneva 2009: Peugeot 908 hy

[Source: Automobile Club de L'Ouest]

Continue reading More details on the 2011 Le Mans technical regulations, now with hybrid power

More details on the 2011 Le Mans technical regulations, now with hybrid power originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 13 Jun 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Peugeot to run a pair of diesel RCZ coupes at 24 Hrs of Nürburgring

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 09:39:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Peugeot, Diesel

Peugeot RCZ racer - Click above for high-res image gallery

Just in time to celebrate its bicentennial next month, Peugeot is expanding its diesel-powered racing efforts. The French automaker will compete in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring for the first time this May with a pair of its new RCZ coupes. The Nürburgring race has become increasingly important in recent years, as automakers have begun to use it as a venue to do final prove-out of new performance oriented cars.

For this years race Peugeot will bring a pair of nearly stock 2.0-liter HDi FAP RCZs with 200 horsepower to the mighty 'Ring. The only modifications to the cars are the removal of unnecessary equipment like audio systems and the addition of race safety equipment like roll cages, fire suppression, upgraded brakes and a rear wing. The four man driving crew for each car will consist of a mix of pro-drivers and Peugeot staff including PSA vice-chairman Stéphane Caille.

Gallery: Peugeot RCZ - 24 Hours of Nurburgring

[Source: Peugeot]

Continue reading Peugeot to run a pair of diesel RCZ coupes at 24 Hrs of Nürburgring

Peugeot to run a pair of diesel RCZ coupes at 24 Hrs of Nürburgring originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Apr 2010 09:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi R15 "plus" TDI shows off new, more aerodynamic nose

Chris Paukert — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:59:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Technology, Audi

2010 Audi R15 plus - click above to enlarge

Testing for the 24 Hours of Le Mans doesn't begin until mid-June, but that doesn't mean that Audi isn't already hard at work bettering the chances of their diesel-powered R15 TDI racer.

Thanks to a belated rule change for the LMP1 class designed to hamper the dominance of diesel-powered vehicles, Le Mans rulemakers have mandated smaller-diameter air restrictors and curbed supercharger pressure in an effort to level the playing field. According to Audi, those alterations have made the German automaker prioritize aerodynamics and downforce even more than normal.

The result? Audi boffins have completely re-engineered the front-end of the car, so much so that the new split nose racer has been designated "R15 plus." The updated LMP1 entrant has already begun testing its new aerodynamics, revised cooling and fuel tank systems in the United States, and further testing in Europe will follow before the legendary French enduro. Audi says that the 5.5-liter engine continues to crank out upwards of 590 horsepower. Can't remember what last year's R15 look like? Compare and contrast by clicking here. Official press release after the jump.

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Audi R15 "plus" TDI shows off new, more aerodynamic nose

Audi R15 "plus" TDI shows off new, more aerodynamic nose originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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