In 2007 Peugeot started a A V12 Turbo Diesel Prototype Sports Car programme that produced victory at Le Mans over the hitherto dominant Audi Team in 2009.

For 2011 new regulations saw the introduction of a smaller V8 powered turbo diesel 908 Prototype Turbo Diesel racer which scored outright wins at Spa, Imola, Silverstone, Road Atlanta and Zhuhai

As early as 2008 Peugeot had shown a V12 turbo diesel powered hybrid racer, but it was not until 2011, after the HYbrid4 had been taken to the Geneva Motor Show, that development of the V8 turbo diesel powered HYbrid4 started to gather momentum with a view to racing in 2012.

In addition to it’s traditional diesel fueled motor the Hybrid4 was fitted with a 60 kw kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) which stores kinetic energy generated under braking in Li-ion battery cells which was used to power electric motors driving the rear wheels under acceleration.

The Peugeot KERS system is said to have developed and additional 80hp at the mandated speed limit with out aid from the diesel motor.

Towards the end of 2011 Peugeot gave the HYbrid4 a systems test at Estoril,

In 2012 while the Peugeot team was preparing to test the new car at Sebring Peugeot head office announced poor financial circumstances meant that the manufacturer had no option but to withdraw from Protoype Sports Car racing effective immediately, and so the HYbrid4 never turned a wheel in competition.

Thanks for joining me on this “Pulling The Plug” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres”, I hope you will join me again tomorrow for a look at another car that did not quite make it to Le Mans. Don’t forget to come back now !