2007 Peugeot 908 HDi FAP
Pilots: S. Bourdais, S. Sarrazin, P. Lamy
Team: Team Peugeot Total
Race: 2nd overall (LMP1 class) at Le Mans in 2007
Spark - S1273 (resin)
Published 09/23/17
The 908 was Peugeot’s first sport prototype since the 905 of 1993. Development began in 2005, and the project focused on racing at Le Mans. In 2006 ACO changed the rules, and as a result closed cockpit designs became attractive to manufacturers. Accordingly, the 908 started as a coupe with a carbon fiber monocoque body to offer better rigidity. And, as a big bonus, lower weight – the car only weighed 925 kg. The engine was a turbo-diesel V12 with 5496 cm³ of displacement, DOHC and 48 valves, turbo-charged by two Garrett turbines, that could produce 700 hp. Being a diesel, the exhaust fumes go through particulate filters to extensively lower emissions and silence the engine.
Chassis #908-03 had quite a prolific racing career. It participated in races from Spa to Nürburgring to Monza, from 2007 to 2009, and of course, La Sarthe. For the 24 Heures du Mans of 2007 Team Peugeot Total fielded two 908s, and 908 #8 finished in second overall. The sister car, #7, wasn’t so lucky. It had mechanical issues and dropped out at the end of the race, on lap 338. Once again, 2007 was an Audi year.
As always, a fantastic effort by Spark, and one thing that always amazes me with their cars are the always elegantly thin aerials. If I had to criticize, it would be the color. Not Spark’s fault, but the matte black looks a bit weird though. It’s almost as if Peugeot wanted a stealth racer. I can’t say it looks bad, not at all, but this 908 #8 looks almost boring. One of the cool things about race cars is the colorful liveries. But here though we’ll have to settle for something not exactly exciting.