Diesel hybrids could enter Le Mans (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

By Theo Leggett
Business reporter, BBC World Service

Audi and Peugeot will do battle for victory in the prestigious but gruelling Le Mans 24 Hours motor race this weekend.

It is expected to be a tense, nail-biting contest between two of Europe's top motor companies.

And remarkably, they will both enter the race with cars powered by diesel engines.

It is part of a process that has already transformed the public image of the humble diesel engine, almost beyond recognition.
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The French car manufacturer {PSA Peugeot Citroen} is planning to have its first diesel hybrid passenger car hit the road by 2010.
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more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7437245.stm

Read to the bottom of the article. *Interesting* developments.

[kenny blankenship]

1. you can watch a stream here - it's middle of the night almost at Le Mans

http://www.justin.tv/giac2007

Just remember that rules in Le Mans series racing are different for diesel and gasoline engined cars, to give advantage to diesel tech development.

Speedtv channel coverage resumes at 9:00 PM eastern.

[kestrel91316]

2. I could get behind BIODIESEL hybrids. For ambulances and fire trucks

and long-distance hauling. But racing is always a frivolous waste of energy.

[tinrobot]

3. Not a total waste...

Generally, I agree that racing is a waste, but some racing technologies actually do help street cars with things like better efficiency, aerodynamics, and safety.

[kestrel91316]

4. So let them develop these technologies on a test track and dispense with the

circus aspect of it.

[tinrobot]

5. Again, I'm not a big fan of racing...

But it's the competition that drives the innovations of racing.

[CRF450]

6. Are you kidding me?

Right much of the technology built into regular autos have come from racing, THAT is not a waste.