Peugeot motorsports usher in new 208 R2 rally car

May 07, 2012 / 13:05 IST

Peugeot had announced in 2011 that it will bring in a 208 rally car and here it is now, the R2. There will be two versions of it, the circuit version (asphalt) which will have specifications similar to that of the R2 and another variant (gravel) which will comply with FIA's R5 regulations and will be the successor to the 207 rally car at both national and international level.

The 208 R2 has a new 1.6-litre 188PS engine generating 190Nm of torque, mated to a five-speed sequential manual gearbox with the lever mounted on the steering column. Peugeot have changed the electric power steering from the road-going 208 to hydraulic ones in the race car. The bodyshell is now 40kg lighter than its predecessor and the suspension has revised Ohlins suspension with three-way adjustable dampers. Peugeot also claims that the 208 R2 is more fuel efficient than the 207. The company is also selling the 208 R2 kits with the engine built, run-in and checked on the dyno.

The gravel and asphalt versions of the 208 R2 will both be available in kit form for a price of Rs 26.17 lakh. It will also be possible to acquire the 208 R2 in fully built form (gravel or asphalt version) for Rs 40.13 lakh, excluding the duties.