02-03-2006, 11:00
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De Paddock Enthousiast
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Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,908
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Op wrc.com staat een interview met Jean-Pierre Nicolas over deze nieuwe Peugeot klanten rallywagen. Ik plaats het hier intergraal, aangezien iedereen waarschijnlijk geen wrc.com (gratis) login heeft.
Ik wist niet dat de transmissie (Sadev) gestandariseerd was (een beetje vergelijkbaar met DTM als vorm van kostenreductie); natuurlijk niet echt ideaal als die versnellingsbak dan problemen heeft. Volgens Nicolas ligt de toekomst van Super2000 in regionale competities, maar dus niet als vervanging van WRC wagens.
Quote:
Peugeot 207RCup Super 2000
Following an official 'leak' to the media two weeks earlier, the first public appearance of Peugeot's concept 207RCup car was at the Geneva Motor Show on 28th February 2006. Peugeot's Competition Director Jean-Pierre Nicolas was present to show the world that his company has not turned its back on rallying, after the decision of the Peugeot-Citroen group to withdraw Peugeot from FIA WRC competition at the end of 2005. Instead, it is developing a Super 2000-specification 207 for use by customers and subsidiaries.
The official name of the car, 207RCup, is strange though. "This is a marketing idea. It all began with the special three-wheeler car we presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show, which was called the '207Cup'. That car was intended to show people what will be the future of the 207. The 207RCup is another design study and is based on the new Super 2000 rules. We added 'R' for Rally and 'Cup' to explain the sporting idea, following on from the production front wheel-drive 207RC model, which is the basic Group N competition version for enthusiasts. This new car is not intended as a basis for a one-make challenge. Compared with the 207RC, this Super 2000 model will be visibly different in detail, for example the addition of the wing at the rear, but the general external shape will be identical."
Peugeot is reviving the Kit Car competition project of ten years ago.
"Not just ten years; the story went back 20 years, to the 205 versions, 306, 206 and now, 207. Every time Peugeot has introduced a special competition version, at the same time it introduced a new road model."
The 207RCup car will use the EW10 engine, tuned to give 280bhp. This is a type previously fitted in production to the 206RC model, as used in the Group N versions. "This engine has the ideal design for this category and was the latest type available. Most of the car has already been designed, now we are busy ordering the required components. We are on schedule for the moment. The car is completely different compared to the old 307 WRC, though some aspects of the conception are similar.
"The main factor in the design, however, is the limit on the price. The allowed cost is so low that we cannot use the techniques we did with the WRC. Because of that, the cars are really much simpler than a WRC. We believe the regulations are quite well thought-out. It is a new concept and we have a completely new chief engineer on this project - Bertrand Vallet, who was a test engineer on the 307 project and in charge of Super 1600 development in 2005".
"We are aware that there has been some trouble with the Sadev control gearbox but we are lucky in that respect, because our car will come out later than other manufacturers'. I think the problem has been the general strength of the unit. I hope the problems can be solved, because Sadev has done a good job to ensure the costs are quite low. Cost is a very important factor, but having the necessary reliability is even more important".
"Our plan is to finish the design of the car before the end of May 2006. Then testing will start in early June, with development continuing till the end of the year, while the car will be presented to the press at the end of September. In this way, the car will be ready from the start of 2007. It is to be used only in private teams, with no official entries from the manufacturer. We expect importers and subsidiaries to be our customers."
What is Peugeot's opinion on the Super 2000 formula? "We think the main problem is the name of the formula! Calling something '2000' is not a fantastic idea! That is why we called it by another name. We made studies and came to the conclusion that '2000' suggests something that happened six years ago! Of course, the big unknown is how the Super 2000 cars will compare with the Class N4 cars, as the FIA wants the cars to have equivalent performance."
Do you think equivalence of performance is achievable? "I fear it will be impossible. This sort of thing has always been very difficult to achieve in the past. I think the future of Super 2000 lies in the regional championships, where it could be the top category on those events. These cars look good and make a nice sound. They would be good if they were the top category in regional events, and for good measure, they could also compete on WRC events as well."
And what about the Eurosport competition project of a preliminary four round series for Super 2000 cars this year? "At the moment, there is no decision, but Eurosport wants to do something with Super 2000 cars. I think the idea of a special championship will be a good way to develop the image of the formula."
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