Peugeot's current Le Mans competitor, the diesel-powered 908 HDi FAP, has been taking on the likes of Audi's R10 diesel racer among others, where it has met with some success. Previously we reported on Peugeot racing a hybrid-diesel car in the 2009 Le Mans 24 hour endurance race, and now the French company has revealed the car during the final round of this year's Le Mans event at Silverstone. Known as the 908 HY, Peugeot claims that it provides a glimpse as to what the company's next endurance racing challenger could look like.

In addition to a hybrid electric-diesel engine being used, the 908 HY features a kinetic energy recover system. The system enables a proportion of the kinetic energy produced under braking to be either recovered or stored. In the case of a non-hybrid car, this energy is lost and simply dissipated in the form of heat via the brakes.

The 908 HY revealed by Peugeot features a 60 kW (80hp) gear-driven electric motor-generator which takes the place of the conventional starter motor, as well as batteries which permit recovered energy to be stored in 600 lithium-ion cells divided into 10 battery packs.

According to Peugeot, using the new system during the course of a lap of the Le Mans track will recuperate energy for between 20 and 30 seconds. This energy reserve can be used for either delivering extra power thanks to an additional boost of 60 kW (80hp) for approximately 20 seconds per lap, either automatically when re-accelerating or when the driver chooses to make use of it, or to reduce fuel consumption.

Toyota is also prepping a hybrid racer for next years Le Mans series, in the hopes of pipping Audi's R10 diesel racer, and competition between the two hybrids from Toyota and Peugeot should add a new element to the race.

2009 Peugeot 908 HY Le Mans