Peugeot 908

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Peugeot 908
Peugeot908-1300ccm.jpg
Alexander Wurz driving the 908 at the Circuit de La Sarthe
Category Le Mans Prototype LMP1
Constructor Peugeot
Designer(s) Paolo Catone [1]
Predecessor Peugeot 908 HDi FAP
Successor Peugeot 9X8 (Le Mans Hypercar)
Technical specifications [2]
Chassis Carbon fibre monocoque
Suspension (front) Double wishbone suspension, torsion bar with damper, anti-roll bar
Suspension (rear)Double wishbone suspension, torsion bar with damper, anti-roll bar
Axle track 2,000 mm (79 in)
Wheelbase 2,950 mm (116 in)
Engine Peugeot HDi 3.7 L (230 cu in) V8 twin-turbo, mid-engined, longitudinally mounted
Transmission Ricardo 6-speed sequential manual Limited slip
WeightAppr. 900 kg (2,000 lb)
Fuel Total Diesel
Tyres Michelin
Competition history
Notable entrants Flag of France.svg Peugeot Sport Total
Notable drivers Flag of Austria.svg Alexander Wurz
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Anthony Davidson
Flag of Spain.svg Marc Gené
Flag of Portugal.svg Pedro Lamy
Flag of France.svg Franck Montagny
Flag of France.svg Stéphane Sarrazin
Debut 2011 12 Hours of Sebring
First win 2011 12 Hours of Sebring
Last win 2011 6 Hours of Zhuhai
Last event 2011 6 Hours of Zhuhai
RacesWins Poles F/Laps
7556
Teams' Championships1 ( 2011 ILMC )
Constructors' Championships1 ( 2011 ILMC )

The Peugeot 908 is an auto racing car developed by Peugeot Sport in 2011 for the Le Mans Prototype category of racing. Powered by a diesel engine, it is the successor to the Peugeot 908 HDi FAP which competed since 2007. The newer 908 features a smaller diesel than its predecessor, utilizing a 3,700 cc (230 cu in) HDi V8 engine with Honeywell Turbo Technologies turbocharger [3] in order to meet new regulations for 2011. The 908 has competed in all rounds of the 2011 Intercontinental Le Mans Cup including the 2011 24 Hours of Le Mans. The new 908 lost about 150 bhp compared to 2010 but improvements in the chassis and handling made the car much more agile. Unlike its predecessor the front tyres are the same width as the rear. The only part that has been reused from its predecessor was the windscreen wiper. [4]

Contents

Racing History

2011

The 908 was known under the codename 90X during development. [5] The car was officially revealed in February 2011. [6]

The 908's first competitive outing was at the 2011 Sebring 12 Hours. The new cars faced competition from the older R15+ and the older-specification Oreca Peugeot 908 HDi FAP. Both Peugeots ran at the front, building a 2-second gap per lap over the Audi but relentless safety car periods cut their lead over time. Marc Gené then shoved the car to the inside of Capello in turn 17. Both cars spun but only Gené hit the barrier and suffered a suspension failure. The #8 led for a while until a slow pit stop and a spin by Lamy threw them back to third. The Peugeots finished 3rd and 8th.

At the 2011 1000 km of Spa, three 908s were up against Audi's new R18 as well as the R15+ and Oreca / Matmut 908. After a disastrous qualifying session leaving only one 908 in the top ten, they quickly got to the front of the field during the first laps and soon were running 1-2-3 after the R18s ran into technical issues. After an off by the third placed 908 piloted by Pedro Lamy, Tom Kristensen's R18 took its position. Following damage to the engine cover of the R18, the Peugeots regained the podium positions, but a front suspension failure half an hour before the end of the race led to a nine-minute pit-stop and a drop into position eight. Nonetheless this same car achieved the fastest lap of the event at 2:03.699.

At Le Mans the three Peugeot 908s were able to battle Audi for the lead of the race. Aided by fewer pit stops, Peugeot remained on the same lap as the lead Audi but failed to catch the leader in the final hour, the No. 9 Peugeot crossing the finish line thirteen seconds behind the race winner.

2012

Peugeot 908 Hybrid4 on display at Zhuhai International Circuit. Peugeot908Hybrid4 at Zhuhai International Circuit.jpg
Peugeot 908 Hybrid4 on display at Zhuhai International Circuit.

A hybrid version of the 908 known as the Peugeot 908 Hybrid4 was expected to run in the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2012 in addition to an updated version of the regular car, but after poor economic performance in 2011 Peugeot cancelled their race program for 2012. [7] Peugeot was already at Sebring to test the new cars, so the announcement came as a severe blow to Peugeot Sport Total.

Complete racing results

Intercontinental Le Mans Cup

(key) Races in bold indicates pole position. Races in italics indicates fastest lap.

YearEntrantClassNoResultsChampionship
1234567Pts.Pos.
2011 Flag of France.svg Team Peugeot Total LMP1 SEB SPA LMS IMO SIL ATL ZHU 1131st
71121111
83232822

24 Hours of Le Mans

YearEntrant#DriversClassLapsPos.Class
Pos.
2011 Flag of France.svg Peugeot Sport Total7 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Anthony Davidson
Flag of Austria.svg Alexander Wurz
Flag of Spain.svg Marc Gené
LMP13514th4th
8 Flag of France.svg Stéphane Sarrazin
Flag of France.svg Franck Montagny
Flag of France.svg Nicolas Minassian
LMP13533rd3rd
Flag of France.svg Team Peugeot Total9 Flag of France.svg Sébastien Bourdais
Flag of France.svg Simon Pagenaud
Flag of Portugal.svg Pedro Lamy
LMP13552nd2nd

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References

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  3. "Honeywell Turbos Boost 14th Consecutive Victory at 24 Hours of Le Mans". Archived from the original on 2018-07-10. Retrieved 2014-02-02.
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  5. "The first picture of the Peugeot 90X!". 24h-lemans.com. Retrieved 2022-11-08.
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