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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.

Chrysler sounds rally cry with Super Bowl ad: Video

Chrysler was a holdout last week. While every other automaker was rolling out its Super Bowl ads days before the big game, Chrysler waited until Sunday's halftime. The ad featured actor Clint Eastwood in a spot appropriately titled "Halftime." Amid gritty images of Detroit, Eastwood talked about America's can-do spirit and the ability to rally back from adversity--just as Detroit has.

Design Contest: Automotive design community gathers for annual design awards party in Paris

More than 300 senior members of the automotive design community will be attending the Interior Motives Design Awards 2004 ceremony to be held at Le Cab, Paris on 24 September, during the Paris Motor Show. Among the special guests will be the Interior Motives Design Awards 2004 judges:- Olivier Boulay, Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Japan- Guy Burgoyne, Volvo Cars- Simon Cox, GM Advanced Design UK- Bill Fluharty, Johnson Controls, Inc- Ulrich Lammel, Volkswagen AG- Steve Lewis, SEAT Cars- Sarah Maynard, Aston Martin Lagonda- Justyn Norek, I.DE.A Institute- Roberto Piatti, Stile Bertone- Marek Reichman, Ford Motor Company- Rus Shafer, Intier Automotive- Andreas Wlasak, Faurecia The Interior Motives Design Awards 2004 received over 200 entries from more than 31 countries and 47 design colleges, further establishing itself as a global competition. Attendees will have the chance to meet finalists from the world's top transportation and industrial design courses, as well as the awards' judging panel.