Autoblog

Kimi Raikkonen to test Peugeot 908 for possible Le Mans drive

Noah Joseph — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Peugeot

You name it, Kimi Raikkonen has raced it. When the 2007 World Champion tired of Formula One, he switched to the World Rally Championship. When that got boring, he tried his hand at NASCAR. And now he could be gearing up for an assault on Le Mans.

The opportunity is reportedly coming from no less capable at team than Peugeot, the only team to beat Audi since the turn of the millennium (excluding Bentley, which raced with Audi's support). According to Autosport, the Finnish driver is set to test their 908 prototype with an eye towards possibly driving for the team at Le Mans next year. Kimi himself is quoted as saying he wouldn't want to compete at the solitary event without running other endurance races in order to practice, but working the races into his WRC and NASCAR schedule could prove tricky.

Raikkonen wouldn't be the first F1 driver to drive for Peugeot. In recent years the team's roster has included such former grand prix pilots as Jacques Villeneuve, Sebastien Bourdais, Pedro Lamy and Alex Wurz. Were he to win, however, he would be one of only a handful of drivers to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Formula One World Championship (as well as the Monaco Grand Prix, for that matter), joining the elite company of Graham Hill, Mike Hawthorn, Phil Hill and Jochen Rindt, and placing him as a serious contender for the elusive Triple Crown of Motorsport.

Kimi Raikkonen to test Peugeot 908 for possible Le Mans drive originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Aug 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Intercontinental Le Mans Cup hits Spa-Francorchamps [spoilers]

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 09 May 2011 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Audi, Peugeot, Racing

The second round of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup took place in Belgium, and even though the Audi R18 took to the starting line for the first time, Peugeot was able to take the top two spots on the podium after six hours of racing.

Interestingly, the qualifying results were the opposite of the race results: Audi racers occupied the first three positions on the grid, and although a Peugeot 908 was in fourth, it wasn't a team car, it was that of the Oreca squad. Due to an incident-strewn and red-flagged qualifying session, the first Peugeot Sport Total car was back in 13th, the second was in 18th, and the third wasn't even classified and started at the back of the grid.

In the race, however, it was Audi's turn for bad juju. The pole-sitting car spun at the first corner on the first lap, one of the drivers accidentally hit the pit-lane speed limiter button during the race, unscheduled stops for new tires and collisions ate away at their positions. Come the checkered flag, team Audi rallied to take third, fourth, and fifth positions, but first and second went to The Lions - that second-place car being the one that started at the back of the grid.

Even with the copious amounts of shenanigans pre-race and in-race, the results aren't totally surprising: Peugeot has a knack for emerging victorious at Spa - this was the team's fifth consecutive win in the Ardennes. Have a look at some of the action in the high-res gallery below.

Intercontinental Le Mans Cup hits Spa-Francorchamps [spoilers] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 May 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

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

Filed under: Motorsports, Audi, Peugeot

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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Geneva 2011: Peugeot 908 Hybrid4 looks ready for Le Mans

Aaron Richardson — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 14:21:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hybrid, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Peugeot, Diesel, Racing

2011 Peugeot 908 Hybrid4 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Peugeot is looking for ways to add an environmentally-conscious side to its endurance racing efforts of late, and brought yet another one of its ideas to this year's Geneva Motor Show. The Peugeot 908 Hybrid4 uses hybrid diesel technology to help it not only burn cleaner, but stay on track longer than a standard LeMans entry.

Like most hybrid racers, the electric motor on board the 908 uses regenerative braking to store up power for an electric motor than can be used for short squirts of 80 hp when the driver needs it. The diesel engine is a 3.7-liter, 550-horsepower V8, backed up by a six-speed sequential gearbox.

The 908 Hybrid4 doesn't make its track debut until the end of this month, so an actual racing season is pretty much out for 2011. Instead, Peugeot says it's hoping to have the car ready for the first official pre-LeMans test in June. Of course, that will all depend on how well the 908 Hybrid4's first track outing goes.

Gallery: Peugeot 908 Hybrid4: Geneva 2011

Gallery: 2011 Peugeot 908 HYbrid4

Live photos copyright (C)2011 Noah Joseph / AOL

[Source: Peugeot]

Continue reading Geneva 2011: Peugeot 908 Hybrid4 looks ready for Le Mans

Geneva 2011: Peugeot 908 Hybrid4 looks ready for Le Mans originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 14:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Peugeot announces next-generation 90X Le Mans Prototype

Noah Joseph — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 17:31:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Peugeot, Racing

Peugeot 90X - Click above for high-res image gallery

French automaker PSA's assault on Audi is never-ending. As if the likes of the Peugeot RCZ and Citroën C5 weren't enough to challenge their German rival in the showroom, Citroën is striving to eclipse Audi's achievements on the rally stages. But arguably the most exciting battle has been the challenge which Peugeot has mounted against Audi on the endurance racing circuit.

After years of dominating Le Mans with the R8 (the racing prototype, not the street-legal supercar), Audi took on a new challenge with the diesel-powered R10 TDI. Peugeot joined the race both literally and figuratively with the 908 HDi FAP, so Audi fired back with the R15 TDI. This season, Audi is upping its game yet again with the R15 TDI Plus, but while the 908 soldiers on, don't think for one minute that the French team doesn't have a trick up its sleeve.

That trick comes in the form of the 90X, the next-generation Le Mans Prototype from Peugeot Sport. Designed to meet the 2011 regulations being set out by race organizers ACO, the 90X has been undergoing testing at undisclosed tracks in Europe. Peugeot's only released limited information on the car's development, saying little more than that it incorporates a new "shark fin" over the engine cover designed to keep it on the ground in case of a crash.

Word has it that the 90X will incorporate a ~~more comprehensive~~ hybrid drivetrain ~~than the KERS-style regenerative braking system in the current 908~~, but for now we'll just have to get by on Peugeot's statement (after the jump) and the trio of images in the gallery below.

Gallery: Peugeot 90X Le Mans Prototype

[Source: Peugeot]

Continue reading Peugeot announces next-generation 90X Le Mans Prototype

Peugeot announces next-generation 90X Le Mans Prototype originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Nov 2010 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Red Bull to place Raikkonen, Loeb and Coulthard in Peugeot 908 HDi at Le Mans

Noah Joseph — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 09:29:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Peugeot, Racing

Peugeot 908 HDi - Click above for high-res image gallery

Motorsports of late have been gripped by the crossover of racing drivers from one discipline to another, but one of the most established migrations in motor racing has always been between Formula One and Le Mans. The great (but unrelated) Hills - Phil and Graham - both won the F1 championship and Le Mans, but none have done so since Jochen Rindt in 1970. Lately, Peugeot especially has been seeking F1 drivers to pilot its 908 HDi against the venerable Audis at the famous 24-hour race, but that could step up a notch if the latest rumors from France hold any Evian.

Peugeot has registered three factory works cars to challenge Le Mans next year, plus one mystery car that has only been listed as a privateer entry. According to the latest reports, that entry could be fielded by Red Bull. The energy drink company has one of the most comprehensive networks of racing talent under its wings, but what's catching the most attention is three of its most prominent drivers.

Six-time World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb, whose Citroen C4 rally car is sponsored by Red Bull, has raced Le Mans previously, and has been linked to a return to the endurance race. 2007 Formula One champion Kimi Raikkonen will likewise be driving next year in a Red Bull-sponsored C4 fielded by Citroen (Peugeot's sister company). Finally, David Coulthard was largely responsible for Red Bull's foray into F1, and though retired from actively racing, remains an advisor and test driver for the team.

While these rumors could prove nothing more than exactly that, if Red Bull were to bring these three talents to La Sarthe, they would surely be a force to be reckoned with.

Gallery: Peugeot 908 HDi

[Source: AUTOhebdo via Le Blog Auto and Axis of Oversteer]

REPORT: Red Bull to place Raikkonen, Loeb and Coulthard in Peugeot 908 HDi at Le Mans originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Dec 2009 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Peugeot takes pole at 24 Hours of Le Mans for third straight year

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Audi, Peugeot

It's mid-June and that means it's time for the 24 Hours of Le Mans again. If the past decade is anything to go by, the number one contenders will again be the factory Audis, which have won eight of the last nine races (all nine if you count the 2003 as the Audi it truly was). For the past two years, the big battle for overall glory has been between the diesel-powered Audi R10 and Peugeot 908, and this year looks to be no different aside from Audi having an all new car, the R15, still with TDI power.

While the Peugeots have shown superior speed the last two years, the Audis have had better reliability and pit work. This year, the R15s appear to have made up the speed deficit, and the Germans look set for victory again if the crew can keep them running. Unfortunately for Audi, the race won't start with one of its cars in the lead, as Stephane Sarrazin has once again captured the poll in his Peugeot 908 for a record third straight year. Alan McNish managed to qualify one of Audi's three R15s right behind Sarrazin, but the other two cars managed to qualify only sixth and seventh on the starting grid. Three other Peugeot 908s will start from third, fourth and fifth, respectively, which means diesel power penetrates all the way back to the fourth row on this year's starting grid.

For those interested in following Audi's progress this weekend, the automaker is following up up its Sebring Facebook coverage with even more social media stuff this weekend. You can find photos, videos and news at AudiR15TDI.com, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube. Our own Damon Lavrinc will also be reporting live from Le Mans this year, so keep an eye on Autoblog and make sure to follow our Twitter feed all weekend long.

[Sources: Yahoo Eurosport, Audi, AutoCar | Photo by Ker Robertson/Getty Images]

Peugeot takes pole at 24 Hours of Le Mans for third straight year originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Peugeot already working on 2011 successor to 908 Le Mans racer

Noah Joseph — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 07:30:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Peugeot

We're still a good couple of years away from the 2011 Le Mans season (give or take, depending on if you're looking at the entire series or just the headline race), but the Peugeot team has already started working on its next LMP1 endurance prototype. The French automaker launched the current 908 HDi in 2007, and was scheduled to use the hybrid 908HY version of the car (pictured right) this year, but reports indicate that the team hasn't been testing the car since its introduction over half a year ago.

Introducing a new car for next year was ruled out as the regulations are set to change for 2011. However Peugeot is eager to demonstrate that it is committed to staying in racing, while admitting that economic circumstances will form the ultimate determination of the racing efforts' future.

[Source: Autosport]

REPORT: Peugeot already working on 2011 successor to 908 Le Mans racer originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Apr 2009 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Peugeot destroys Le Mans lap record in qualifying

John Neff — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 19:31:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Audi, Peugeot

The 76th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans takes place this weekend, and just like last year, Audi and Peugeot will be duking it out in front with their diesel-powered LMP1 cars. The Audi R10 is a proven race machine, both durable and fast, but the Peugeot 908 has often times proved faster. Late yesterday at the first qualifying session for the endurance race, the 908 proved to be the fastest by far when it shattered the lap record at Le Mans by 7.8 seconds! The car was being driven by French driver Stephane Sarrazin, who man-handled the 908 around the track in 3 minutes and 18.513 seconds. A truly amazing feat, though what's more incredible is that the next five fastest times also beat the previous lap record, two of which were Audi R10s. Unfortunately, the second and third fastest times behind the fastest Peugeot 908 were two more Peugeot 908s. The Peugeot cars are clearly faster than the Audis so far in qualifying, but that was the case last year and Audi pulled out a win just like it has the past four years in a row. Unlike the Le Mans Series races where Peugeot has won the first three races so far this year, Le Mans is about endurance and Audi has proven seven out of the last eight years that it can last longer than the rest.

[Source: Reuters, Photo by Ker Robertson/Getty]

Peugeot destroys Le Mans lap record in qualifying originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Jun 2008 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Peugeot goes flying at Le Mans

Drew Phillips — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 10:02:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Peugeot

Le Mans has seen its fair share of spectacular crashes, perhaps most notably the Mercedes CLR-GTR that caught air and did several flips before landing outside the guard rail back in 1999. While not as outrageous as the Mercedes, Peugeot caught some air as well this past weekend at the 24 Hours of Le Mans test when Marc Gene lost control of his 908 Hdi and hit the wall at over 120 mph. Luckily, Gene was able to walk away from the crash and will be able to drive in the race in less than two weeks. Footage from the crash can be seen after the jump.

Thanks for the tip, Mark!

[Source: YouTube via LeMans.org]

Continue reading VIDEO: Peugeot goes flying at Le Mans

VIDEO: Peugeot goes flying at Le Mans originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Jun 2008 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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F1 drivers line up to drive the diesel Peugeot 908 Hdi at Le Mans

Noah Joseph — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Peugeot

Peugeot had a great season in Le Mans racing last year, having taken the series title but narrowly missing victory at the main event. The French team is ready to bring the diesel fight back to Audi's doorstep, and too that end has recruited yet another Formula One driver to pilot the diesel-powered 908 Hdi at the 2008 running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Ricardo Zonta drove for BAR-Honda, Jordan and Toyota, and until last season served as a test driver for Renault. Although he never won a grand prix, he did more relevantly take the FIA GT championship in 1998 after his Mercedes broke down at Le Mans.

While Peugeot has yet to announce its line-up for the 2008, last year the roster included several names from Formula One, including former F1 champion Jacques Villeneuve (with whom Zonta drove at BAR), four-time Champ Car champ Sebastien Bourdais (who starts in F1 this year for Scuderia Toro Rosso) and veteran Ferrari test driver Marc Gené. Alex Wurz, who in 1996 became the youngest driver ever to win Le Mans and recently signed as a test driver for Honda F1 after leaving Williams, is also rumored to be part of Peugeot's line-up when they it announce sometime in February.

[Source: Autosport]

Gallery: Peugeot 908 HDi

F1 drivers line up to drive the diesel Peugeot 908 Hdi at Le Mans originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 31 Jan 2008 10:01:00 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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