Peugeot have unveiled the Peugeot 908 HYbrid4, the diesel-hybrid version of the new 908 at the Geneva Motorshow, with the manufacturer planning to begin running the car this year at the same time as preparing the regular 908 for a full season of racing.
The unveiling is the end product of work, a collaboration between Peugeot Sport and the marque's engineers, that has gone on since a Hybrid version of Peugeot previous LMP car was exhibited at Silverstone in 2008.
The car's hybrid technology works by recovering lost energy under braking and storing it, before feeding it back in – automatically – under acceleration in the form of a short 80hp boost to the rear wheels. The car is also capable of running in 'electric only' mode in the pitlane.
The diesel power comes from the same 3.7 litre V8 engine that powers the conventional 908.
Peugeot Sport plan to run the 908 HYbrid4 at the reinstated official Le Mans 24 Hours test in late April. However, Peugeot stress than this depends on the progress made in preparing the 908 for Le Mans, as well as the results of the Hybrid's first track runs in March.
No further plans for the car this year have been made public.