Last week in Paris, Peugeot Sport unveiled their new 908 endurance racing car which they will campaign in this year's Le Mans 24 Hours and the ILMC.

Peugeot Sport has a busy 2011 ahead of it with the launch of its all new Peugeot 908 and a comprehensive endurance racing program. After a strong season in 2011, which saw it claim the inaugural Intercontinental Le Mans Cup (ILMC) title, Peugeot Sport will be looking to defend its crown, although the highlight of the season will again be the Le Mans 24 Hours (June 11-12). The calendar for this year's ILMC features seven races, including Le Mans which will carry double points. This year's visit to Le Mans is also eagerly awaited as the recently introduced new technical regulations have given rise to a new generation of cars.

"We have chosen 908 as the name of the new car in order to build on the wave of success with which it is associated," says Peugeot's Director of Marketing and Communications, Xavier Peugeot. "At the same time, the new car fits perfectly with the brands new modern image. It mirrors the modernity that is clearly visible in the new 508 and the recently announced new 308."

The 908 complies with all the latest technical regulations and the new for 2011, "shark fin engine cover". It is a closed-cockpit car, with the same size front and rear wheels, and is powered by a new 3.7 liter V8 HDi FAP 550 hp diesel engine. It means Peugeot Sport will be competing in endurance racing for the fifth year running with a diesel engine equipped with a particulate filter (FAP).

Immediately after the 2009 Le Mans 24 Hours, Peugeot Sport's engineers started to put pen to paper to design a new car destined to comply with the new, upcoming technical regulations. They also drew on all their experience and knowledge learned from the 908 HDi FAP: "The regulations have evolved a great deal but we didn't start with a clean sheet of paper," notes Bruno Famin, Peugeot Sport's Technical Director. "The experience we have gained over the past four years helped to steer the decision-making process and our technical choices, although the only component which has been carried over at the end of the day is the windscreen wiper! One of the principal challenges we faced was to design an all-new car while continuing to race another at the same time. We also needed to set ourselves sound objectives with a view to obtaining the best possible package with regards to engine performance, aerodynamics and weight distribution."

Full 2011 Championship

The Intercontinental Le Mans Cup has expanded from three rounds in 2010 to a seven-round championship in 2011, including two races in the USA (Sebring and Petit Le Mans Road Alanta), three in Europe (Spa-Francorchamps, Imola and Silverstone) and one in China, plus the Le Mans 24 Hours.

908 Technical Specifications

Engine

Type: HDi Diesel
Position: Mid-rear, longitudinal
Engine Block: Machined Aluminum
Pistons: Steel
Cylinders: V8 (90o "vee")
Cubic Capacity: 3.7 liters; Four Valves per Cylinder
Injection: Bosch Direct Common-Rail Fuel Injection
Turbocharger: Two, each with a 33.5mm Diameter Air Restrictor
Particulate Filter: Two Dow Automotive Particulate Filters
Power: 550 hp
Lubricant: Total

Chassis

Type: LMP1 Le Mans Prototype
Construction: Carbon Monocoque
Bodywork: Carbon Fiber
Windscreen: Polycarbonate

Transmission

Gearbox: Longitudinal; Six Speed plus Reverse
Gearbox Casing: Cast Aluminum
Gearshift Control: Hydraulic Sequential
Clutch: Cerametallic Multi-Plate Clutch
Differential: Limited Slip Differential
Lubricant: Total

Suspension / Steering / Brakes

Suspension: Double Wishbones with Pushrods and Rocker Arms for all Four Wheels
Springs: Torsion Bars
Dampers: Pressurized
Anti-Roll Bars: Front and Rear
Steering: Hydraulically Assisted
Brakes: Double Hydraulic Circuit, One-Piece Light Alloy Calipers
Discs: Vented Carbon Discs Front and Rear
 Front Disc Diameter: 380 mm - Rear Disc Diameter: 355 mm
 Driver Adjustable Front / Rear Brake Balance

Wheels

Type: Magnesium
Front Wheels: 14.5 x 18 inches
Rear Wheels: 14.5 x 18 inches
Tires: Michelin Radial Tires (37/71 - 18) Front and Rear