xcel
02-09-2009, 05:31 PM
Despite today's difficult economic environment, Peugeot commits the $’s to push their Diesel powered 908 to its limits. (cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?p=186574)
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2009_Peugeot_LMP_1_908.jpgWayne Gerdes – CleanMPG (cleanmpg.com) – Feb. 9, 2009
2009 Peugeot 908 HDi - A racing test bed for smaller consumer diesels of the future.
Peugeot Racing suffered a disappointment in 2008 after coming close to winning the Le Mans 24 Hours with the 908 HDi FAP Turbo-diesel powered race cars. Although not a winner at Lemans, the 908 took four of five racing victories in last year's Le Man’s Series.
Thus year, the team is focusing its efforts to iron out the shortcomings that handicapped its bid for victory last year at Le Mans.
These areas include optimization of the traction control system, preventing the radiators from getting choked up and improvements to the wheels with a view facilitating their replacement by the mechanics.
And of course the ever-present performance reduction measures imposed by the Le Mans series rules committee....
"The engine settings have been completely revised to take onboard the new air restrictor dimensions and the lower turbo pressure, which have resulted in a fall in power of approximately 10 per cent," explains Peugeot Sport's Technical Director Bruno Famin. "Significant work has gone into the 908's aerodynamics, too, in order to re-optimize the car's balance following the reduction in the width of rear wings which has been cut from 2 to 1.6 meters. We are also continuing with development work aimed at placing an A/C unit in the cockpit with a view to ensuring that the temperature inside the car stays within the regulatory threshold.
"At the same time, we are working on enhancing the car's performance potential. This includes ongoing work on weight reduction in a bid to get close to the minimum limit, even with air conditioning, as well as optimization of the diesel engine's combustion, particulate filters (in association with Dow) and fuel injection (with Bosch), plus research into defining best possible chassis/tire package (with Michelin)."
As stated above, the 2009 season's overriding objective is the Le Mans 24 Hours. As Olivier Quesnel explains, Team Peugeot Total has defined a particularly active program as it builds up to the celebrated endurance race: "Our test program includes endurance simulation tests at a variety of circuits, and we will take part in two races upstream of Le Mans which will serve as full scale dress rehearsals for everyone in the team. We have consequently chosen to compete in March's 12 Hours of Sebring (Sebring Florida), which is the opening round of the American Le Mans Series, with two cars and six drivers.
Last but not least, the exterior of the 908 HDi FAP has changed. All the cars will now be predominantly blue, with the cockpit covered in a reflective chrome like aluminum covering aimed at keeping the temperature inside the car to a minimum. This endurance program is only possible thanks to the assistance of our partners."
LeMan’s LMP1 Peugeot 908 Engine specs
Engine|
Cylinders|12
Displacement|5.5L
Fuel Injection|Bosch Commonrail
Intake Boost|Twin Turbo’s
Block|Aluminum
Pistons|Steel
Power|700 HP
Torque|885 Lb-Ft.
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2009_Peugeot_LMP_1_908.jpgWayne Gerdes – CleanMPG (cleanmpg.com) – Feb. 9, 2009
2009 Peugeot 908 HDi - A racing test bed for smaller consumer diesels of the future.
Peugeot Racing suffered a disappointment in 2008 after coming close to winning the Le Mans 24 Hours with the 908 HDi FAP Turbo-diesel powered race cars. Although not a winner at Lemans, the 908 took four of five racing victories in last year's Le Man’s Series.
Thus year, the team is focusing its efforts to iron out the shortcomings that handicapped its bid for victory last year at Le Mans.
These areas include optimization of the traction control system, preventing the radiators from getting choked up and improvements to the wheels with a view facilitating their replacement by the mechanics.
And of course the ever-present performance reduction measures imposed by the Le Mans series rules committee....
"The engine settings have been completely revised to take onboard the new air restrictor dimensions and the lower turbo pressure, which have resulted in a fall in power of approximately 10 per cent," explains Peugeot Sport's Technical Director Bruno Famin. "Significant work has gone into the 908's aerodynamics, too, in order to re-optimize the car's balance following the reduction in the width of rear wings which has been cut from 2 to 1.6 meters. We are also continuing with development work aimed at placing an A/C unit in the cockpit with a view to ensuring that the temperature inside the car stays within the regulatory threshold.
"At the same time, we are working on enhancing the car's performance potential. This includes ongoing work on weight reduction in a bid to get close to the minimum limit, even with air conditioning, as well as optimization of the diesel engine's combustion, particulate filters (in association with Dow) and fuel injection (with Bosch), plus research into defining best possible chassis/tire package (with Michelin)."
As stated above, the 2009 season's overriding objective is the Le Mans 24 Hours. As Olivier Quesnel explains, Team Peugeot Total has defined a particularly active program as it builds up to the celebrated endurance race: "Our test program includes endurance simulation tests at a variety of circuits, and we will take part in two races upstream of Le Mans which will serve as full scale dress rehearsals for everyone in the team. We have consequently chosen to compete in March's 12 Hours of Sebring (Sebring Florida), which is the opening round of the American Le Mans Series, with two cars and six drivers.
Last but not least, the exterior of the 908 HDi FAP has changed. All the cars will now be predominantly blue, with the cockpit covered in a reflective chrome like aluminum covering aimed at keeping the temperature inside the car to a minimum. This endurance program is only possible thanks to the assistance of our partners."
LeMan’s LMP1 Peugeot 908 Engine specs
Engine|
Cylinders|12
Displacement|5.5L
Fuel Injection|Bosch Commonrail
Intake Boost|Twin Turbo’s
Block|Aluminum
Pistons|Steel
Power|700 HP
Torque|885 Lb-Ft.