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Peugeot 908 V12 HDi DPFS

Peugeot 908 V12 HDi DPFS 2007

The Peugeot 908 V12 HDi DPFS
Peugeot announced its decision to accept a new technological challenge: to win one of the world's most prestigious and demanding motor races, the Le Mans 24 Hours, with a car powered by an HDi diesel engine equipped with a diesel particulate filter system (DPFS).

The monocoque body
The monocoque body is made of carbon and presents a truly closed structure, contrary to the 905, which was a "racing car" with a detachable tubular rollover bar. This type of structure offers strong natural rigidity (the "eggshell" effect) and allows the weight of the monocoque body to be optimised.

Body and aerodynamics
Created from scratch at the beginning of 2006, Peugeot Sport's aerodynamics department had the difficult task of designing in just a few weeks an exterior body that was both original and aerodynamically efficient.

Suspension, steering, brakes
Given the challenge of designing a complete car in record time and the particular constraints of the HDi DPFS engine, the Peugeot Sport team relied on proven solutions for the front and rear suspension design, the electric power steering and the brakes.

The gearbox
This is positioned longitudinally and will allow the fitment of up to 6 gear ratios, the limit laid down by the regulations.

The engine
The chosen engine architecture is a 100° V12 with a capacity of 5.5 litres. This is the maximum capacity permitted by the regulations and was chosen due to its greater internal airflow at low engine speeds. It also gives potential future development opportunities to use different grade fuels.
The choice of a twelve cylinder 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 and also ensure the engine has a reasonable piston stroke. The V12 architecture, well known for its good balance, also reduces vibrations to a minimum.
The 100° V angle, like the V12 architecture, makes it possible to lower the height of the centre of gravity without affecting the engine's torsional rigidity.
Two diesel particulate filters are located at the end of each exhaust system and guarantee "smoke-free" operation of the engine under all conditions.

The two exhaust systems are as short as possible. On each side a 6 into 1 exhaust manifold is connected to a Garrett turbocharger, then to a very compact diesel particulate filter before ending in a side exhaust pipe, located in front of the rear wheel.

Electronics
The 908 will benefit fully from Peugeot Sport's considerable expertise and knowledge in electronics, acquired as a result of its extensive experience with WRC cars - which are generously equipped with electronic systems - and in particular with respect to their experience of electronically controlled differentials.
Peugeot Sport will also benefit from the experience of the main supplier Bosch, who will be supplying and developing the "car system" on the basis of specifications provided by Peugeot Sport.
A high level of performance is therefore expected in terms of "traction control", a key function for controlling engine torque in a race track environment, whilst also ensuring optimum performance of the Michelin tyres.

Engine
* Rear central longitudinal position
* All-aluminium with one-piece aluminium cylinder block
* 12 cylinders, V angle 100°
* Capacity: 5.5 litre
* Common rail direct injection
* Engine management: Bosch MS17
* Power: 700 bhp
* Torque: 1200 Nm

Transmission
* Gearbox: longitudinal with a maximum of 6 gear ratios. Electro-pneumatic gearbox control
* Differential: self-locking

Suspension, steering, brakes
* Linked front and rear suspension
* Electric power steering
* Michelin tyres
* Wheels: BBS, magnesium
* Length: 4,650 mm
* Width: 2,000 mm
* Minimum weight: 925 kg