By ALISTAIR KENNEDY
9 October 2006

Last year Peugeot announced it was going to enter a turbo-diesel racing car in the Le Mans 24-hour race in 2007. Obviously stung by the fact that the famed French Le Mans track has been dominated in recent years by the German Audi company, Peugeot retaliated by saying it was going to build a 750 horsepower monster for its ‘home’ race.

The Peugeot 908 racing machine will contest the race for outright, rather than simply class, honours. Peugeot sees this car as a direct descendent of the Peugeot 905 that won the famed 24-hour race in 1992 and 1993, with Australian Geoff Brabham being one of drivers in the 1993 car.

I was privileged to be present at the unveiling of the Peugeot 908 HDi racing car to the media at the Paris Motor Show the other day. Incomplete at this time, but carrying lines that appear to be close to the real thing, the Peugeot 908 is a large coupe with low-set lines and a wide stance.

We were also able to view the 908’s twin-turbo, V12, 5.5-litre turbo-diesel engine. It too is low and wide, the 100-degree angle giving it not only inherently good balance, but also the ability to sit low in the body to minimise wind resistance and keep the centre of gravity down.

The 750 horsepower produced by the Peugeot V12 is impressive enough in its own right for a diesel engine, but even better is the monstrous 1200 Newton metres the engineers say they will be able to wring from the big powerplant.

Peugeot is running the engine with a diesel particulate filter to cut exhaust emissions to a minimum. The French company pioneered this technology and is keen to prove that a clean engine can still be a powerful one.

Interestingly, Peugeot is talking about running a six-speed gearbox behind the engine. Audi has used a five-speed in its cars, saying the huge torque generated by diesels means the additional ratio in a six-speed isn’t necessary. Peugeot may yet come back to a five-speed unit.

Just as interesting as the first public showing of the new racing Peugeot was the unveiling of the 908 RC using the same engine as the Le Mans racer. A concept car, the 908 RC is a large four-door saloon offering a luxurious rear compartment set up for two very important people. The RC could also run the 5.5-litre, V12, turbo-diesel engine.

Interesting though it is, it’s unlikely the 908 RC will ever be built. However, there's speculation that Peugeot has incorporated some design cues for the new Peugeot 608 within the sleek shape of the 908. Our sources say that the frontal shape of the 908 should be studied to get some ideas of the new Peugeot 608.

At this stage the French maker isn’t saying when the new Peugeot 608, the replacement for the current 607 large car, will be announced. Indeed, so secretive is the company that at a dinner with Christian Peugeot a couple of days before the Peugeot show, he wouldn’t even confirm to us that there would be a Peugeot 608. Talk about French secrecy…

Incidentally, Christian Peugeot is from the eighth generation of the Peugeot family’s involvement in French industry, the last five of them in the motoring business – now that’s an impressive dynasty by any standard!

To get an idea of just how tough the Le Mans 24-hour race is, think five Bathurst 1000 races back to back without a moment for rest. Can Peugeot win with its new 908? It will be a real struggle, Audi has dominated the event since 2000; even the Bentley Speed 8 that won the 2003 race was a close relation to the Audis. In 2006 it became the first ever company to win outright with a diesel engine.

Audi is well aware that the big French car is on its way and is certainly out to beat it. Next year’s Le Mans race should be a most fascinating one – roll on June 2007 and the battle of the high-performance diesels.