Audi R15 & Peugeot 908 HDI FAP - Million-Dollar Diesels

Looking very much like a pair of F-117 stealth fighters in their hangers, the 15-foot long, 2,000 pound Peugeot 908s were backed into their workshop at the Sebring International Raceway. Without their 18-inch magnesium wheels in place, the 15-inch carbon disc brakes commanded our attention.

The Peugeot 908 car debuted after the Audi R10 and features a roof over the driver. The rules dictate enclosed cockpit cars must be air conditioned, but it looks to us like all that means is the driver gets a little black fan blowing cool air on him. In this photo you can see the Bosch MS 17.1 ECU, which is a newer engine management system than the Bosch MS 14 system Audi is claiming to use.

We showcased the Peugeot 908 HDi FAP's V-12 engine in "Peugeot's 700hp V-12 Le Mans Race Engine" (Apr.'08), but here' a rare glimpse of the aluminum 5.5L engine in full race trim. The Peugeot team left it uncovered for a few seconds before the 12 Hours of Sebring race--which was just long enough for us to gaze at the rear-mounted twin-turbo diesel's new carbon-fiber intake manifolds.

On race day, spare parts were kept behind the pit wall for quick replacement. We spied this complete set of spare front and rear Peugeot 908 suspension assemblies. Looking at the rear axleshafts, they appear to be at least 1 3/4-inch diameter and have more than 40 splines. That makes them larger and stronger than what you'd find in a Dodge Dana 80 dualie rear axle.