In keeping with its combative nature, Peugeot has decided to contest the 2013 Pikes Peak Hill Climb (Colorado, USA, June 30) which continues to stand out as one of motorsport’s most exacting, internationally-reputed competitions. Peugeot’s bid to win the unique, Colorado Springs-based event with the Peugeot 208 T16 Pikes Peak has led to it joining forces with such key partners as Total, Red Bull, Michelin and Sébastien Loeb. Peugeot’s participation in this epic race, which has previously seen the Brand triumph with the legendary 205 T16 and 405 T16 Pikes Peak, is a natural extension of its international offensive which is itself illustrated by the globalisation of its sales and the success enjoyed by the new 208.
The Pikes Peak Hill Climb’s unique course was finally entirely asphalted last year and comprises 156 turns over a distance of 20 kilometres that take competitors from an altitude of 2,800 meters to 4,300 meters at its highest point. The event is famous as the USA’s second-oldest motorsport competition after Indianapolis and, over the decades, it has earned a reputation as a notoriously difficult and complex challenge!
To maximise its chances of winning the Pikes Peak Hill Climb with the 208 T16 Pikes Peak, Peugeot has enlisted the support of the very best partners for this exceptional project, namely Total, Red Bull, Michelin and Sébastien Loeb. The nine-time world rally champion was able to accept Peugeot’s proposal thanks to Citroën which has authorised its star driver to contest the American event for the first time in his career.
The Peugeot 208 T16 Pikes Peak has been entered in the premier ‘Unlimited’ class and has been given the start number ‘208’.
Technical characteristics
| ENGINE | |
|---|---|
| Type | V6 bi-turbo |
| Cubic capacity | 3.2 liters |
| Number of valves | 24 |
| Position | Mid-rear |
| Number of cylinders | V6 (60°) |
| Maximum power | 875 hp |
| Torque | 90 mkg |
| Maximum revs | 7,800 rpm |
| Top speed | 240 kph |
| 0-100 kph | 1.8 s |
| 0-200 kph | 4.8 s |
| 0-240 kph | 7.0 s |
| TRANSMISSION | |
|---|---|
| Type | Four-wheel drive |
| Gearbox | Longitudinally-mounted six-speed sequential gearbox with steering wheel-mounted paddle-shift |
| CHASSIS | |
|---|---|
| Frame | Tubular steel |
| Bodywork | Carbon |
| SUSPENSION / BRAKES / STEERING | |
|---|---|
| Suspension | Double wishbones and pushrod/rocker arm actuation at all four corners |
| Springs | Torsion bars |
| Dampers | Pressurized dampers |
| Anti-roll bars | Front and rear |
| Steering | Hydraulic double circuit brake system with one-piece light alloy calipers |
| Brakes | Vented carbon discs front and rearDiameter (front): 380mmDiameter (rear): 355mm |
| Brake discs | Specific 18×13 magnesium alloy wheels derived from F1 technology |
| Wheels | 7,800 rpm |
| Tires | Michelin (31/71×18) |
| DIMENSIONS | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4500 mm |
| Width | 2000 mm |
| Height | 1300 mm |
| Front track | 1690 mm |
| Rear track | 1690 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2695 mm |
| Wing | 2000 mm (based on the rear wing of the Peugeot 908) |
| Fuel tank | 40 liters |
| Weight | 875 kg |
Pictures
The race
- 156 corners
- Course length: 19.9 kilometers long (now entirely paved)
- Start line altitude: 2,865 meters
- Finish line altitude: 4,301 meters
- Course record: 9m46.164s (Rhys Millen, Hyundai Genesis Coupé)
- Inaugural event: 1916. This year is the 91st edition.
- European competitors took part in the event for the first time in 1984.
- Peugeot won the event in 1988 and 1989, with Ari Vatanen and Robby Unser respectively.
- In 2011, Nobuhuro ‘Monster’ Tajima (Suzuki SX4) was the first driver to complete the hill climb in less than 10 minutes (9m51.278s).
2013 programme:
- June 25 (5:30am-8:30am): official practice
- June 26 (5:30am-9:00am): official practice
- June 27 (5:30am-9:00am): official practice
- June 28 (5:30am-9:00am): official practice
- June 30 (8:00am): race.
Further information: http://www.ppihc.com
