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.
09/15, 1:37 PM
posted by:
yarddog82abn
Why don’t they sale Peugeot in the states, Alfa Rome is making a come back, the more of a selection of brand the better for the consumer, the better the produces have to get I’m just saying…
09/15, 2:30 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
This is what racing should be about: new technology. Instead we’re stuck with NASCAR, whose only reluctant surrender to anything ‘green’ was to make the switch to unleaded fuel a couple seasons back. How very 70’s of them. Motorsports needs to be relevant to survive. If you just want a soap opera go tune in All My Children.
09/15, 4:03 PM
posted by:
Z06ified
Technology is one thing, but this is a stupid application of it. Hybrid technology does not belong on race cars, unless your race car spends a lot of time idling in traffic.
The gains Peugot claims with this hybrid system seem miniscule, and I just don’t see it offsetting the increased weight and complexity of the hybrid system.
09/15, 6:11 PM
posted by:
C6Racer
Boy do I LOVE LMP1 race cars. They just look deliciously menacing!
09/15, 9:34 PM
posted by:
Rafa LL
I’m so painting my ForzaM2 908 like that!!
By the way, those who says this is no big deal, that was the first thing everyone said about diesel… go and check how diesel has done.