...Kumbe ni simba imeyeshewa

Peugeot have never really, in the eyes of Kenyans, been associated with the high tech or ultra cool, Peugeots have always been revered and respected as everyday workhorses, capable of anything (other than having functional doors)

Lakini never since the days of Joginder in the 504 have I ever wanted a Peugeout so much. The brand which shares our "National" animal, the Lion, is roaring back to life with its new concept car, the 908RC

Luxury car design and a high-tech racing chassis collide in the 908 RC, Peugeot's concept for the upcoming Paris motor show. Part-limousine, part-Le Mans racer, the 186mph 908 is sure to be one of the most fascinating vehicles at Peugeot's hometown show in September.

The four-door, four-seat limousine has an unusual layout with an engine mounted behind the back seats. The 908's rear end is highly significant, because its 700bhp V12 diesel engine and the rear subframe supporting it will be adopted by Peugeot's 2007 Le Mans race car.

The Peugeot 2007 Le Mans race car.

And the highlights don't end there. The design also gives a sneak preview of Peugeot’s forthcoming executive car, the 608.

The imposing 908 RC is as long as a Mercedes S-class, The windscreen is drawn forward, and it arcs back over the front seats to create a vast glass bubble encircling the passenger cell.

The interior

The wheelbase is a whopping 3150mm-long, up there with a stretched S-class's, creating plenty of room for four in individual leather buckets. Luggage can be stored in the nose as well as a boot behind the engine.

Under its skin, the 908 RC shares much with Peugeot's contender for the 2007 Le Mans 24 Heures crown. The chassis is a mix of carbon composite and aluminium, to create an ultra-light, ultra-stiff platform suitable for endurance racing. The body is suspended via double wishbones front and rear. Hidden behind those flashy alloy rims are Brembo carbon composite brake discs, chosen for their light weight and ability to resist fade. The rims, clad in Michelin Pilot Sport rubber, measure 20 inches up front, 21 at the rear.

Audi won the 2006 Le Mans race with the R10, its V12 diesel racer. In 2007, it will have a Peugeot to contend with, running this twin-turbocharged V12 diesel. Peugeot claims the 5.5-litre unit is already kicking out more than 700bhp, at least 50bhp up on the Audi Racecar. Peak power is backed up by 885lb ft of torque. All this grunt is chanelled to the rear wheels via a six-speed sequential gearbox, mounted beneath the engine.

The Engine

By opting for a more economical diesel racer for Le Mans, Peugeot will have to pull in for less pit-stops than petrol rivals – which proved a huge advantage for Audi this year.

Peugeot's feline design theme is definitely visible on the 908 RC. The leading edge of the bonnet juts forward around a super-sized lion badge, inspired by a cat's nose and with the vents resembling its nostrils. And the LED headlamps are spookily reminiscent of cats' eyes, while Peugeot's trademark, wide grille is present and more pronounced than ever.

Hopefully the sculptured bonnet, headlamp shape and vents will influence the face of the 608 executive car, which arrives in 2008.

The powerful rear wheelarches resemble a crouching lion's hindquarters, and a cat's claw inspired the shape of that aluminium sliver in the rear lamp. Peugeot claims to have honed the 908's shape in the wind tunnel. The underbody diffuser – which sprouts four tailpipes – manages air flow, while a spoiler rises at speed to boost downforce. Rear vents feed air to the engine, and manage cooling.



The dashboard architecture gives strong hints to the 608's cabin. Today's Peugeots are the epitome of user-unfriendliness when it comes to the dashboard controls. The 908 RC's important audio, sat-nav and climate functions are controlled by the touch-screen area in the centre console. Hopefully, this will be put in the 608





Passengers in the back also have what Peugeot calls a 'man-machine interface' screen, .The plush cabin is trimmed in ‘amethyst grey’ leather; other materials include dark oak, aluminium inserts, chrome and a Bell&Ross analogue clock.



I just hope there'll be no problems with the doors


rK