Peugeot debuts new 208 R2 rally car

From AB




PEUGEOT SPORT ANNOUNCES NEW 208 R2 RALLY CAR

- Re-Generation for motor sport
- Builds on the virtues that brought success
- Enhances the strengths of the new 208

(04/05/12) -- To follow and build on the successful achievements with
the emblematic 205, 206, 207, Peugeot has applied its expertise,
utilising the 'spirit of re-generation' that combines all of their
best features to produce the Peugeot 208.

The Competition versions of the 208
Development of the competition versions of the Peugeot 208 has been in
operation since the car was announced in 2011, and the first version
to be released is the R2 which will provide a glimpse of its potential
at next week's Tour de Corse (May 10-12) in France. Two other motor
sport derivatives of the 208 will see the light of day before the end
of 2012, beginning with the circuit version which features a
specification very similar to that of the R2. The circuit version will
be followed by the eagerly-awaited 208 which complies with the FIA's
R5 regulations and which will go on to take over from the successful
207 Super 2000 rally car at national and international level. It is
due to be unveiled in September.

Creation of an icon
"With the 208, Peugeot has given itself the means to create a new
motoring icon," noted Peugeot's Range Director Laurent Blanchet
at the model's launch. "The 208 carries over the successful
spirit of the 205 and the 206, plus the functionality of the 207 in a
thoroughly modern package," added Xavier Peugeot, the Brand's
Product Director. Through the livery of the R2, Peugeot's stylists
have sought to mark the launch of the 208's competition line-up by
highlighting the model's emotional appeal and resolutely modern
lines.

The 208 R2 will appear in this livery when it serves as 'zero' car for
next week's Tour de Corse (May 10-12), the fourth round of the 2012
Intercontinental Rallye Challenge. Regular Peugeot Sport driver
Stéphane Sarrazin and co-driver Benjamin Veillas will drive the hot
hatch ahead of the field at the French event before staying on in
Corsica for a week of testing after the rally.

208 R2: poised to become a new benchmark in a highly competitive
market
The R2 is an indispensable part of the model line-up it is destined to
spearhead. Affordable and competitive, it stands out as the ideal
choice for those who want to get their first taste of rallying or
simply enjoy their passion. The 208 R2 ran for the first time at the
end of 2011 and is destined to replace the existing 207 RC Rallye not
only as star of the Brand's 'Volant' single make series but also as a
challenger for class success at national and international level.
Ford, Renault and Citroën all have R2 cars, but Peugeot Sport has set
itself the target of becoming the class's new benchmark in terms of
both performance and low competing costs. Careful attention was also
paid to reliability, notably with regard to its transmission,
electrics and electronics. Another aim was to make life easier for
owners by minimising the number of parts required to convert the car
from gravel- to asphalt-spec, and vice-versa. This was made possible
by using as many shared parts and assemblies as possible for the two
versions and by benefiting from the PSA group's customer competition
catalogue.

'Regenerated' styling
Through its compact forms, short overhangs and flowing transition
between the bonnet and windscreen pillars, the 208 is a fresh
interpretation of the Brand's styling cues, both in terms of their
underlying principles and in the details.

The new signature front end is particularly charismatic, while its
feline looks are more modern, status-enhancing and refined. It comes
across as assertive yet lively, warm yet racy, hi-tech yet friendly,
and natural yet sophisticated.

Technical 'regeneration', described by 208 R2's project leader, Yann
Goraguer:
Lightweight:"The 208's bodyshell is approximately 40kg lighter
than that of the 207. In addition, the 208's overall volumes are one
of the R2's chief strengths, while its long wheelbase ensures
excellent stability. Weight-saving work has enabled us to bring down
the centre of gravity further, optimise where the weight is located
and reduce the intrinsically low inertia of this car with its short
overhangs. These features combine to provide the 208 R2 with
outstanding road holding."

Modern structure: "The 208 R2's strengthened shell incorporates a
multi-point, welded roll cage which marks a real step forward in terms
of safety compared to rival roll cages thanks to a new manufacturing
process."

Modern engine: To comply with the regulations, Peugeot Sport has
developed for the 208 R2 a brand new, naturally-aspirated, 1600cc
engine based on the 1.6 VTi available for certain versions of the 208
road car.

"For the competition version of this engine, we started from a
clean sheet of paper and achieved the 185hp specified in the brief. At
the same time, we succeeded in maintaining the low fuel consumption
and CO2 emissions that are features of the original engine. This
extremely modern powerplant comes with variable valve timing (VVT) for
the intake and exhaust. The Group R regulations specify that the
valves must be of the same size as those of the standard engine. Like
its air intake dimensions, the 1.6 VTi's valves are smaller than those
of the former 1.6 unit. The main factors which influence performance
in the case of a normally-aspirated engine are its valves and intake,
so we worked closely with Sodemo to make our new engine
driver-friendly by focusing on flexibility rather than on peak power
which often goes unused in rallying. We achieved this thanks to the
use of VVT. The 208 R2 kits will be sold with the engine built, run-in
and checked on the dyno."

Innovative gearbox: "The gearbox, too, is new. The 208 R2 is
equipped with a five-speed, manual, sequential gearbox with the lever
mounted on the steering column. The gearshift system is identical to
that of the 207 S2000 and represents a significant evolution for a car
of this class in which the original gearshift is more conventionally
mounted on the floor. The lever is much shorter and also positioned
higher, while the shift is more direct and precise because it is in
line with the gearbox. The system is much more rigid since it is
shorter and lighter. The gearbox itself features innovative cooling
with an air duct at the front of the car which channels cooling air to
fins built into the front part of the casing which help dissipate heat
and cool the oil."

Reduced fuel consumption: The lower weight, carefully designed
aerodynamics and naturally-aspirated engine have resulted in a
significant fuel consumption saving compared to the 207 RC Rallye.
This makes an appreciable contribution to keeping the costs of
competing to a minimum.

Suspension performance: "We have carried over the proven
three-way adjustable dampers, plus a new, bespoke adjustable hydraulic
bump stop which has been developed specially in association with our
supplier Öhlins. The R2 also features a specific wishbone arrangement
which increases suspension travel. This, in turn, improves traction
and is positive for the car's performance."

Hydraulic steering: "The 208 R2's steering is specific, too. We
have switched from the standard car's electric power steering to a
hydraulic system, combined with a higher-ratio hydraulic rack for
greater precision and enhanced comfort in response to demand from the
drivers. The use of a hydraulic system also permits more accurate
feedback of information, notably on loose surfaces."

Single calliper brakes: "The diameter of the brake discs is
dictated by the regulations. As wear parts, they need to be effective
and reliable, but also relatively economical. To simplify the ordering
and management of parts and to facilitate the conversion from gravel-
to asphalt-spec (and vice-versa), we have opted for a single Alcon
calliper plus standard, re-machined discs. Thanks to the floating
calliper arrangement, the conversion from gravel- to asphalt-spec only
requires the calliper mount to be changed."

Clutch:the 184mm-diameter single clutch plate arrangement is dictated
by the regulations. Peugeot Sport specifies an Alcon plate for the
R2.

Wheels:the wheels are also covered by strict regulations regarding
their width, diameter and weight.

Tyres:All the 208 R2 development work was done on tyres provided by
Michelin, Peugeot's Sport partner.

Production and motor sport: close collaboration to minimise competing
costs
The 208 represents a new generation of car, while Peugeot Sport has
collaborated with PSA group experts to make the necessary
modifications for motor sport use in compliance with the regulations.
"Throughout the process, we worked closely with the group's
different technical departments," says Alexis Avril, Customer
Competition Manager. "At the beginning of a project like this,
in-house skills and expertise allow you to make swifter progress when
developing certain advanced solutions. The 208 R2's transmission, for
example, is made entirely by PSA to a brief drawn up especially for
competition purposes. We also benefited from the savoir-faire and
experience of the Brand's series production experts in fields like
materials, surface treatment and processes. The 208 features a new,
modern powertrain, so we spent a great deal of time with the firm's
specialists during the 208 R2's different development phases. Last but
not least, as a function of the regulations and in order to minimise
costs, we called frequently on our colleagues to source the most
suitable parts from the catalogue of the series production
version."

Sales
The gravel and asphalt versions of the 208 R2 will both be available
in kit form for a price of €37.500net (c£30,500). This price includes
a fully-built engine. It will also be possible to acquire the 208 R2
in fully built form (gravel or asphalt version) for €57.500net
(c£46,700).

Two kits will be available to convert the asphalt version of the car
to gravel trim, or the gravel version of the car to asphalt trim.

Delivery: November 2012, via the Peugeot Sport Racing Shop.

Development calendar
July: Homologation
August 17-18: Ulster Rally (asphalt), Great Britain
October-November: Gravel and asphalt rallies (in Italy, France and
Spain)
November: Delivery
November 23-25: Rallye du Var (asphalt), France

Technical data
Engine
Type: EP6C (special pistons, con-rods, camshafts).
Cubic capacity: 1598cc
Bore x stroke: 77mm x 85.8mm
Maximum power: 185hp at 7.800rpm
Maximum torque: 19m.daN at 6.300rpm
Specific power: 116hp/litre
Fuel tank: 60 litres
Fuel injection: indirect (Magneti-Marelli), motorised single throttle
valve, chain-driven double overhead camshafts with VVT intake and
exhaust timing

Gearbox
Gearbox: five-speed sequential manual gearbox with three homologated
final drive ratios
Differential: pre-loaded limited slip differential
Clutch: hydraulically operated cerametallic single clutch plate
(diameter: 184mm)

Brakes/Steering
Front brakes: floating-callipers and ventilated discs
- asphalt: 310mm x 30mm (diameter thickness)
- gravel: 285mm x 26mm (diameter thickness)
- radial-mount four-piston callipers
Rear brakes: solid discs: 290mm x 8mm (diameter thickness)
- radial-mount two-piston callipers
Handbrake: hydraulic
Power steering: hydraulic

Suspension
Front: MacPherson type with specific uniball-jointed wishbones
specific interchangeable front anti-roll bar (3 stiffnesses choices)
with plain bearings specific cast aluminium struts (camber adjustment
at pivot).
Rear: strengthened H-beam modified to accommodate an interchangeable
anti-roll bar (choice of 3 stiffnesses)
Front/rear dampers: specific three-way Öhlins dampers with adjustable
hydraulic bump stops

Chassis
Structure: body shell reinforced by welded, multipoint FIA-approved
roll cage specific steel underbody shielding
Weight: minimum weight (in accordance with FIA regulations): 1.030kg
(unladen), and 1.180kg (with crew)
Front/rear distribution: 64% / 36%

Dimensions
Length/width: 3.962mm / 1.739mm
Wheelbase: 2.538mm
Front/rear track: 1.475mm / 1.470mm

Wheels
Wheels/tyres: asphalt - wheels: 6.5 x 16 / Michelin tyres (17/60-16)
gravel - wheels: 6 x 15 / Michelin tyres (16/64-15)
 
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