Peugeot's diesel racer coming to SA

Peugeot's 908 HDi, which was the runner-up at this year's Le Mans 24-hour endurance race, will be one of the star attractions at the Johannesburg International Motor Show which takes place at the national Exhibition Centre in Nasrec, Johannesburg, from Saturday 1 November through to Sunday 9 November 2008.

The Sports Prototype racer, powered by a 5.5-litre twin-turbo V12 diesel, is being brought to the show jointly by Peugeot Motors South Africa and Kagiso Exhibitions and Events.

With 520kW and about 1,200Nm of torque, this isn't your average turbo-diesel hatchback and the “wonder-car” has been used successfully overseas by Peugeot to showcase its diesel technology.

The 908 HDi will probably be replaced by a hybrid version for the 2009 Le Mans 24-hour and the separate five-round European Le Mans Series endurance events.

The new car combines the benefits of turbo-diesel efficiency with regenerative electric storage that will provide additional power when necessary by releasing energy stored in a 60kW electric motor/generator to supplement the output from the engine.

If the vehicle is approved for competition, it will make Peugeot the first manufacturer to develop a hybrid for top-flight motorsport.