2004 Peugeot 907 Concept

While these details are a part of the 907, the execution of each is thoroughly unique. The headlamps' corners peak upwards, creating a downward slope from the fenders' edges

Sleek facial features, side slat vents, side-exhaust pipes and faux-wire wheels are all tributes to early French supercars. (Photo: Peugeot)

to the hood's center. The shape of the hood's bulge slopes down parabolically, extending past the hood like a formula one car. A heavily arched roofline compacted between the long hood and the tail end is capped by a one-piece windshield and roof. The cockpit, which has been placed as far back as possible flows into a truncated fastback, accented on both sides with louvers as it lowers to meet the rear fenders. Vents and side-mounted exhaust pipes along the front fenders as well as the narrowing fastback all pay tribute to the graceful supercars of the '40s and '50s.

Under this cat's skin of sheetmetal and glass, the motor, occupants and all other innards are placed in a sophisticated one-off chassis. For this type of vehicle, it's assumed that an aluminum spaceframe or tubular steel chassis would be used, but Peugeot has gone full-out to create a carbon-fiber monocoque for the 907. Used heavily throughout today's best supercars including the Benz SLR, Ferrari Enzo and Porsche Carrera GT, it's the ideal construction material for its high levels of rigidity and ultra

The 907's 6.0-liter V12, crafted from a pair of V6s, is open for all to see thanks to a clear-domed bubble on the lengthy hood. (Photo: Peugeot)

light weight. A racing-style diffuser with five channels and a retractable rear wing are other links to technology solely aimed at improving performance at higher speeds.

Powering the 907 is a unique V12 motor, crafted from two of Peugeot's muscular 3.0-liter six cylinder engines. With a displacement of 6.0 liters the motor was tuned to produce 500 horsepower, slotted in a front-mid position with as much of the engine behind the front wheels as possible in order to improve weight distribution which in turn improves handling characteristics. The metallic piece of mechanical art is displayed for all to see through a clear dome on the front hood. Power is linked to the rear wheels via a six-speed transmission mounted just in front of the rear axle.