First look: Pug previews its Le Mans power

PEUGEOT is doing a Jaguar with the unveiling of its "feline" four-door concept limousine, to take place at the Paris motor show in September.

Visually, the 908 RC has a particularly menacing low-slung body with cat’s-eye headlights blending in with a stylish tapered design at the front.

The car sits on 20-spoke alloys (20-inch at the front, 21-inch at the back) creating an overall visual effect of a big cat, from the nose to the tip of the rear lights.

The headlights use light-emitting diodes with a crystal look designed to look like they have been cut from precious stone.

The areas either side of the bonnet create the effect of the cat’s "cheeks" with the bonnet tapering down to a nose, with a prominent Peugeot emblem.

A newly developed V12 HDi DPFS (diesel particulate filter system) engine, the rear-mounted engine will power the racing version when it tackles Audi at next year’s Le Mans 24 hour race.

The 5.5-litre V12 develops 515kW and more than 1200Nm but still offers room for four - and their luggage.

Peugeot claims the aim of the 908 was to create a limousine with an imposing style that offered four occupants "a new driving sensation".

With a 100-degree "V" angle architecture, the engine’s centre of gravity is as low as possible.

Two particulate filters are located at the end of each exhaust system ensuring the car’s environmentally-friendly credentials.

The RC is 5123mm long - compared to 4815mm for the 407 Coupe - and sits on a 3150mm wheelbase. It is 2154mm wide and 1370mm high.

The V12 diesel is mated to a compact electronically controlled six-speed sequential gearbox, mounted under the engine, which has been adapted to cope with the car’s phenomenal torque.

The position of the powertrain allows the creation of a large-capacity boot, situated behind the final drive assembly and therefore not encroaching on interior space.

The dynamic rear profile is characterised by the shape of the rear air diffuser, accentuated by chrome detailing and supported visually on each side by twin exhaust pipes.

The metallic black body colour with its bluish reflections further enhances the impression of status and dynamism.

Inside, meticulous attention has been paid to the 908’s cabin.

The panoramic front windscreen stretches as far as the B-pillar and allows a completely unimpeded (upwards) field of vision.

All vehicle functions (radio, MP3 player, satellite navigation, four-zone air conditioning) can be easily controlled by means of a large touch screen on the media interface.

Practical aspects have not been overlooked either. There are plenty of storage areas and an air conditioned glovebox.

The 908 RC was conceived by the Peugeot Design Centre in Paris.

The vehicle is built around a pre-impregnated carbon composite and vacuum-polymerised aluminium honeycomb structure.

The rear section is a self-supporting shell incorporating a sub-frame consisting of a tubular structure on which the engine and suspension are assembled.

Both at the front and the rear, the car features a drop-link double-wishbone suspension from the 407.

Braking is by means of four monobloc ceramic carbon composite discs which reduce weight and improve thermal efficiency.

The wheels are fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 255/35 R20 tyres at the front and 285/30 R21 at the rear.