Arias Pistons 12.5:1 Compression 82mm Bore Honda B-series on 2040-parts.com

Peugeot Unveils Hybrid Le Mans Racer

By Ben Whitworth Motor Industry 07 October 2008 13:03 Peugeot used the final round of this season’s Le Mans Series at Silverstone this weekend to show off its new hybrid-powered 908 HDi FAP racer, which features a similar kinetic energy recovery setup to next year’s Formula 1 system.The 908’s ‘HY’ undertook a number of demonstration laps in front of the packed grandstands and showed how Peugeot’s passenger car technology is filtering through to its motorsport activities.Over the weekend, the Automobile Club de l’Ouest – the company that runs the Le Mans series – announced a raft of aerodynamic and air-intake changes to next year’s regulations to even out the advantages of diesel over petrol. But rather frustratingly for Peugeot, there were no moves to incorporate hybrid powertrains in the 2009 season.But Peugeot claims that it will enter the 908 HY into next year’s Le Mans Series as a ‘Double Oh’ non-competitor to further evaluate the car’s hybrid technology.The HY’s layout comprises three key components - an 80bhp gear-driven electric motor-generator which replaces the conventional starter motor, 10 lithium-ion battery stacks to store the recovered power (six in the cockpit instead of the conventional battery and four on the left-hand side of the floor pan) and an electronic power converter, located in the rear part of the front left wing, which controls the flow of energy between batteries and motor.The result is a 3-5% mechanical energy recovery – and the associated economy and performance benefits. Over a single lap of Le Mans, for example, the system will recoup lost energy for up to 30seconds.This is then converted into a 20second 80bhp kick can either be meted out automatically by the car’s electronics to bolster acceleration throughout the lap or be selectively used by the driver using a ‘push to pass’ boost button.The additional and modified components add a further 65kg to the car’s weight, but Peugeot’s engineers claim the racecar will still easily meet the minimum regulated weight. “As a car manufacturer we can use motor sport as a research and development tool for the Peugeot brand as a whole,” said Michel Barge, Peugeot Sport’s director.

Suzuki Grand Vitara SZ-T Limited Edition launches

Suzuki Grand Vitara SZ-T Suzuki is launching a limited edition version of the Grand Vitara – the Grand Vitara SZ-T – with the 1.9 DDi engine. Just 500 being built. Whatever you may think about the Suzuki Grand Vitara (and it is better than you’d think off-road) you have to confess it comes with a history.

New Honda NSX Concept to take on Goodwood Hillclimb in June

The new Honda NSX Concept will take on the Goodwood hillclimb in June The arrival of the production version of the new Honda NSX Supercar is schedlued for 2015, and Honda are making sure the new NSX will arrive with high expectations. They’ve already announced the new NSX will go racing before it even goes in to production and they’ve had a new NSX out on track to try and show its ‘Green’ credentials are a positive not a negative. Now, Honda has announced that we’ll all be able to get up close and personal with the new NSX as it will be at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in June and will take on the Goodwood hillclimb.