Peugeot Sport returns to the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Dow Automotive and an abundance of cutting edge technology for the three Peugeot 908 HDi FAP diesel-powered race cars. A critical component of the diesel powerplant is the advanced diesel particulate filter (DPF) that has been specially-designed and developed by Dow Automotive to meet Peugeot Sport’s stringent performance requirements. 

“Peugeot Sport is elevating the excitement and competition level to new heights at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and we’re pleased to be playing a critical role in their pursuit of returning to the winner’s circle,” comments Peter Sykes, president of Dow Automotive. “For the second consecutive year, our team is working closely with Peugeot Sport to provide robust diesel particulate filters, which dramatically reduce particulate emission, are lightweight, compact and produce very low back pressure to optimize engine power, torque and fuel efficiency.”

The DPFs developed for Peugeot Sport are designed to withstand the demanding extremes that are only experienced through endurance racing. Dow Automotive has engineered the filters to perform at extremely high operating temperatures, mass flow and ramp rates.

According to Peugeot Sport Director Michel Barge, “Team Peugeot Total has enlisted the services of 10 outstanding drivers whose experience in cars similar to the 908 HDi FAP in terms of set-up and driving technique needs no introduction. Between them, they total 393 Formula 1 Grand Prix starts and 34 previous starts in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.”

This year’s Peugeot Sport co-drivers are:

• N° 7 (red): Marc Gené, Nicolas Minassian and Jacques Villeneuve
  
  
• N° 8 (blue): Pedro Lamy, Stéphane Sarrazin and Alexander Wurz
  
  
• N° 9 (grey): Christian Klien, Franck Montagny and Ricardo Zonta
  
  
• Reserve driver: Anthony Beltoise

Sykes adds that Dow Automotive’s work with Peugeot Sport on DPF technology is backed by solid research and development and provides a window into future downstream applications. “Our joint efforts with a partner like Peugeot Sport in such an intense arena provides us with the technical data to expedite delivery of this technology into widespread use in passenger cars, but also for medium and heavy duty applications like long haul trucks,” Sykes says.

Advancing DPF technology is one of two major Dow Automotive development programs underway in motorsports. In the other initiative, Dow Automotive is the sole provider of energy absorbing foam to NASCAR. The company’s IMPAXX™ energy absorbing foam is mandated for use in every NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car chassis for increased driver safety in side impact collisions.

About Dow Automotive

Dow Automotive is a leading global provider of technology-driven solutions that meet consumer demands for vehicles that are safer, stronger, quieter, lighter, cleaner, more comfortable and stylish. The organization provides plastics, adhesives, glass bonding systems, sealants, emissions control technology, films, fluids and structural enhancement and acoustical management solutions to OEM, tier and aftermarket customers around the world. For additional information about Dow Automotive products, services, and application development centers, visit www.automotive.dow.com.

About Peugeot Sport

Peugeot has almost a century of motorsports heritage and success. In 1913, in only the third ever Indy 500, a Peugeot driven by Jules Goux won the race. Early Peugeot race cars were notable for pioneering applications of advanced technologies like four valves per cylinder and double overhead cams. Over the years, Peugeot has raced in Formula One, World Championship Rallies, Touring Cars, Pikes Peak, Dakar and Le Mans. Peugeot won Le Mans in both 1992 and 1993. For more information, visit www.peugeot-sport.com.

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