At last weekend’s 2008 Le Mans Series race at Silverstone in the United Kingdom, Peugeot unveiled a hybrid diesel-electric race car concept based on the 908 HDi FAP production race car. Peugeot plans to race a car heavily based on the 908 HY hybrid concept at 2009′s 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race.
The 908 HY features a hybrid diesel-electric powertrain that utilizes a kinetic energy recovery system that stores or recovers most of the energy produced under braking. It also features a 80 horsepower gear-driven electric motor-generator that replaces a conventional starter motor. The 908 HY features 600 lithium ion battery cells.
The 908 HY can operate on electric mode only for low-speed maneuvers (like on pit lane), using its diesel engine only or on a combination of the two power sources. Peugeot says that during one lap of Le Mans, the system can recuperate energy for between 20 and 30 seconds. That saved energy can be used for delivering extra power for about 20 seconds on a lap (using the 80 horsepower electric motor) or to reduce fuel consumption during “normal” race driving.
