hybrid race car

Green GT H2: getting ready for 2013 Le Mans.

Well yes the 2012 Le Mans is around the corner, but one company brought out their unique prototype yesterday for the Le Mans Test Day. The Green GT H2 promises to be the first Electric/Hydrogen powered race car—and after participating in 2012’s test day, has been officially invited to race in the 2013 24 hours endurance race. Very interesting stuff indeed.

Here’s Green’s highlights of their race car as per their website:

– No pollutants
– No emissions of gas or CO2, or NOx
– Renewable energy

– The hydrogen comes from the electrolysis of water. The water is then recomposed during the production of electricity in the fuel cell. This same water can then be used again to re-produce the hydrogen.

– GreenGT H2 is expected to reach a speed close to 300km/h. With its on-board electrical control system, the GreenGT H2 can run for 40 min and its new electronic control system allows optimized cornering speeds.

src: technologicVehicles

auction of the day. 908 V12 HDi

Well this is a bit sad, isn’t it…..recently Peugeot pulled out completely from Le Mans 2012 and as an Audi Sport fan, I was very let down by this news. Peugeot and Audi had such a fantastic rivalry over the past few years, and it really made for great sporting and great racing. Le Mans has been uber exciting to watch the past few years, and last year’s Le Mans will go down in history as one of THE most exciting races ever run at the La Sarthe.

Since then, i’ve heard of Peugeot selling their entire Paris offices, and liquidating lots of their assets. GM now owns a fraction of the company, and It’s hard to figure out exactly how fast Peugeot-Citroen are falling—-however it’s plain to see they are.

Next up on the chopping block? Some of their endurance racers. This is the 2007 Peugeot 908 HDi Fap that is going up on RM Auctions. I’m tired of hearing people long for the ‘older’ Le Mans cars saying that modern Le Mans cars aren’t that cool….nonsense! Modern Le Mans cars are amazing, and this is a great example of why. It is, however, sad to see Peugeot selling their history.

Some notable achievements of this #2 car:

• 2009 Le Mans Works entry
• 1st Overall at Monza, Silverstone and Spa
• Groundbreaking HDi diesel-powered V-12 engine
• Run by the Works-Peugeot factory race team

Auction estimate? 1.5 to 1.8 million Euros. I guess it’s time to cancel my Veyron order….