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LMS: Testing of the Peugeot 908 hybrid will begin soon

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Khatir Soltani
Testing of the new Peugeot 908 HY LMP1 endurance racer will begin soon in Europe, simultaneously with the development of the current 908 HDi FPA diesel in preparation for the 2009 24 Hours of le Mans.

The hybrid Peugeot 908 HY in action at Silverstone, Great Britain.

The 908 HY is still a rolling laboratory. It is fitted with a 60kW gear-driven electric motor-generator which takes the place of the conventional starter motor, batteries which allow the recovered energy to be stored in 600 lithium-ion cells divided into 10 battery packs, and a power electronic converter which controls the flow of energy between the batteries and the motor-generator.

A spokesperson of Peugeot Sport told us that the 908 HY was only tested once before. Testing will resume soon, but there's no hurry. "The 908 hybrid cannot be entered in an official Le Mans Series' race next season. We have to wait until the end of the year to race it in a non-championship event. So there's plenty of time. The 908 HY will only be allowed to race in 2010," he said.

The standard 908 powered by the V12 diesel engine will be at the HTTT circuit of Le Castellet in France Monday and Tuesday of next week, doing tire tests with Michelin.
photo:Peugeot Sport
Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
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