Peugeot 908 – Le Mans Challenger powered by HDi

Peugeot has announced its decision to take up a new technological challenge: to win one of the most prestigious and most demanding motor races in the world, the Le Mans 24-hour race, with the Peugeot 908, a car powered by a V12 HDi diesel engine, equipped with a diesel particulate filter system (DPFS).

This new car will follow in the footsteps of the legendary Peugeot 905, winner of the World Sports Car Championship and Le Mans 24-hour race in 1992 and the historic one, two, three finish in 1993.

Unlike the 905 which was powered by a 3.5-litre V10 petrol engine, the new contender will be powered by a 5.5-litre 100o V12 HDi diesel engine. This is the maximum engine size that regulations allow and was chosen for its efficient operation at low engine speeds. It also enables engine power to be limited in the first instance, but also enables further development.

The level of performance expected – more than 515kW (700 bhp) of power and a torque output greater than 1,200 Nm – is without precedent in a diesel engine and is a direct result of Peugeot’s current level of know-how in diesel technology, linked to the mechanical characteristics of the V12.

The choice of a V12 engine helps keep the cylinder bore diameter very close to that of a production series engine. In doing so, Peugeot can call on its extensive knowledge of diesel combustion, obtained during the development of the current HDi diesel engines. It also ensures the engine has a reasonable length piston stroke.

The V12 architecture, well known for its good balance, also reduces vibration to a minimum. The V12 engine uses a 100o V angle for its architecture, which has allowed its centre of gravity to be lowered without affecting the torsional rigidity of the engine.

Two diesel particulate filters are mounted at the end of each of the exhaust systems. Through technology which has come directly from production cars, they will provide a guaranteed control of exhaust emissions under all operating conditions.

Back in 2000, Peugeot confirmed its commitment and strategic policy to reduce exhaust emissions, with the fitment of a diesel particulate filter system (DPFS) as standard equipment on the HDi diesel engine in the 607. The success of this commitment was demonstrated in December 2005 when Peugeot celebrated the production of the one-millionth vehicle fitted with a diesel particulate filter system.

Today, it is the production car which brings its HDi diesel particulate filter technology to the competition arena, in order to show its qualities in extreme conditions of endurance and performance, all the while respecting the environment.