The Peugeot 908 HDi FAP is a sports racing car built by the french automobile manufacturer Peugeot to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans starting in 2007. This effort, in development since 2005, was publicly unveiled on 15 June 2006. It competes with the Audi R10, three times winner of Le Mans, being the second diesel sportscar from a major manufacturer. This was Peugeot's first Le Mans effort since the end of the Peugeot 905 project in 1993. The 908 name is also shared with a Peugeot concept sedan, named the 908RC, which shares the diesel V12 engine from the 908 sportscar. The Peugeot 908 is not to be confused with another sportscar of the same name that raced in the 1960s, the Porsche 908.
The Peugeot 908 made its race debut at the opening round of the 2007 Le Mans series season, the 1000 km of Monza. The twin 908s were very quick in qualifying, managing to take the top two spots by over a second from the nearest competitor. During the race the Peugeot led nearly the entire race, although the #8 car of Lamy and Sarrazin suffered numerous difficulties with its doors, leaving them to finish third. However the #7 908 of Gené and Minassian held on to take victory in the 908's debut.
On the 3rd of June 2007, Peugeot managed to best the Audi R10 diesel, setting a Le Mans test day lap time of 3:26.707. This was followed by Peugeot earning pole position on Le Mans qualifying with a 3:26.344 set by Stephane Sarrazin, again beating Audi - although it is believed Audi did not go as fast as they could, unlike Peugeot (in the race, where the cars were faced directly for the first time, the Audi R10's were obviously faster than the Peugeots on the straights and much more stable and less forcing on the corners). In the race itself the #8 Peugeot managed to finish second to the Audi R10 after covering 359 laps. The #7 Peugeot sister car had to withdraw from the race in the final hour due to engine failure. When the stricken car reached the pits for the second time, Peugeot mechanics made no effort to resolve its problems and simply withdrew it from the race.
The Peugeot 908 HDi hit 339 km/h (211 mph) on the Mulsanne Straight in 2007, which was the equal of the Audi R10 TDi.
On the 3rd of June 2007, Peugeot managed to best the Audi R10 diesel, setting a Le Mans test day lap time of 3:26.707. This was followed by Peugeot earning pole position on Le Mans qualifying with a 3:26.344 set by Stephane Sarrazin, again beating Audi - although it is believed Audi did not go as fast as they could, unlike Peugeot (in the race, where the cars were faced directly for the first time, the Audi R10's were obviously faster than the Peugeots on the straights and much more stable and less forcing on the corners). In the race itself the #8 Peugeot managed to finish second to the Audi R10 after covering 359 laps. The #7 Peugeot sister car had to withdraw from the race in the final hour due to engine failure. When the stricken car reached the pits for the second time, Peugeot mechanics made no effort to resolve its problems and simply withdrew it from the race.
The Peugeot 908 HDi hit 339 km/h (211 mph) on the Mulsanne Straight in 2007, which was the equal of the Audi R10 TDi.
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