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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.

Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid: the leaked photos

By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 09 September 2008 12:00 Images of the production Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid car have leaked onto the internet a week ahead of GM's planned shindig to celebrate the brand's centenary on 16 September 2008. The Volt is a landmark model – a hybrid electric car that can run for 40 miles on battery power alone or use the onboard 1.4 petrol engine for further charge. The new Volt will also be one of the world's first plug-in hybrids when it goes on sale in 2010 (2012 for Europe), allowing it to be hooked into the mains to top up the battery.

Freightliner reveals new truck concept [w/video]

Freightliner Trucks has unveiled a new concept vehicle, dubbed the Revolution Innovation Truck, at the 2012 Mid-America Trucking Show. Freightliner has built upon the first Innovation Truck, unveiled in 2009, and has updated the cabin with the latest technologies while keeping the essential day- and night-time functions of the tractor unit. The Revolution Innovation has been aerodynamically optimized, with a sloping hood, low-mounted grille and an integrated, raised over-cab roof.