208 GTi RACING EXPERIENCE: THE 208 GTi PEUGEOT SPORT CONFRONTS “THE GREEN HELL!”

2013 208 GTi Peugeot Sport

Designed in Vélizy, the 208 GTi Peugeot Sport displays its strengths on the eve of the 2013 VLN championship. One goal : the 24H Nürburgring 2013 next may, with the 8 european drivers recruited online through the 208 GTi Racing Experience project.

Supporting the launch of 208 GTi

More than 2000 licensed drivers registered early 2013 on the 208 GTi Racing Experience website to accompany the commercial launch of the 208 GTi. After the national pre-selections, eight “208 GTi ambassadors” were selected during the International Final in LaFerté Gaucher, to race in the 24H Nürburgring 2013 :

- Dominik PEITZ - 21 years old – Germany
- Vincent RADERMECKER – 45 years old – Belgium
- Gonzalo MARTIN DE ANDRES – 31 years old – Spain
- Mathieu SENTIS – 27 years old – France
- Giacomo RICCI – 27 years old – Italy
- Christiaan FRANKENHOUT- 31 years old – Netherlands
- Johnny NIEDERHAUSER – 41 years old – Switzerland
- Bradley PHILPOT – 27 years old – United Kingdom

Essential preparation

The Nürburgring is not totally unknown for some of them (notably Christiaan FRANKENHOUT who finished third overall at the 2012 24H Nürburgring), but most of the ambassadors will have to discover and learn one of the most unusual and unforgiving tracks in the world : the Nordschleife.

In order to do so, they will participate in VLN Test Day (5th and 6th April 2013), then the VLN 2 (April 13th) and VLN 3 (April 27th) with four 208 Racing Cup cars developed and manufactured by Peugeot Sport, before the 24 Hours race at the Nürbürgring (19th and 20th May). To withstand this special track, Peugeot Sport was tasked to design a 208 GTi with the sole aim of victory in the SP2T category ( 1600cm³ turbo petrol).

Technical features of the Peugeot Sport 208 GTi

The 208 GTi Peugeot Sport will be the fourth race edition of the 208. It has benefited from the development of its three elders (T16, R2 and Racing Cup) and was thus able to be designed in a very short amount of time. Studies be gan in December 2012. The preparation of the first shell began in January 2013 for an early assembly in February and a first drive at the end of the same month. It benefits from the collection of mechanical components developed and tested for 208 T16, 208 R2, 208 Racing Cup and also for RCZ Racing Cup, the latter of which is a benchmark in the SP2T category in Germany with wins in the VLN, 24 Hours Nürbürgring 2012 and the Bathurst 12 hours this year.

Of course, the 208 GTi Peugeot Sport also benefits from the strengths of the standard 208 GTi model. Like the GTi, it has a 1600 turbo petrol engine tuned from 200 to 300 bhp. This engine is accompanied by a 6-speed gearbox operated by paddle shifters. It is equipped with a reinforced braking system, 18'' wheels, a 100 litre petrol tank and aerodynamics designed to take advantage from the race regulations to the limits. The overall weight of the car is of 990 kg.


Technical Specifications - 208 GTi Peugeot Sport

• Engine Type : EP6 CDT
• Capacity : 1.600 cm³ turbo
• Maximum power : 300 hp
• Maximum torque : 36 m.daN
• Fuel capacity : 100 litres
• Fuel system : Magneti Marelli high pressure direct injection
• Electronics Engine management ECU : SRT Magnetti Marelli + data acquisition
• Display screen : Couleur Magnetti Marelli
• Transmission Gearbox : 6-speed + sequential control via steering-mounted paddles
• Clutch : Push mechanism, two disc ceramic/metal 184 mm
• Brakes / Steering Front brakes : 355 dia x 28mm ventilated discs / 6-piston calipers.
• Rear braked : 290 dia x12mm non-ventilated discs/single-piston calipers.
• Front/rear brake distributor
• Steering : Rack and pinion with hydraulic power assistance.Front suspensions : pseudo McPherson, specific lower arms with ball jointsspecific front anti-roll bar on plain bearings, specific struts: forged aluminium (camber adjustment at the swivel).
• Rear suspensions : “H” reinforced axle and modifie d for interchangeable anti-roll bars
• Front and rear dampers: specific 3-way Öhlins + adjustable hydraulic bump stops

[Source : PEUGEOT]