Peugeot 208 R5 Testing Begins

PeugeotPeugeotFrance, 1882 > present120 models
3839 photos
7 videos
is still very early into testing the 208 R5Peugeot 208 R5France, 2012 > present1 photo
rally car that will replace the 207 Super 2000Peugeot 207 Super 2000France, 2006 > present1 photo
. While the 208 R5 was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show that car was really more of a shell. The first actual, test version was completed on December 15 and has just started preliminary testing. The car competed in a four-day rally in France for testing. 

The test had Peugeot testing and developing components for the gravel rally version of the car. It will also be sold for tarmac rallies, but all cars will be easily convertible between specifications. That means all of the parts have to withstand the gravel assault. 

The next step is to begin fine-tuning the car's suspension and engine. 

The 208 R5 uses a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine with 280hp and 400Nm of torque (295lb-ft). The car has a five-speed sequential transmission with all-wheel drive, but the chassis is taken from the standard 208Peugeot 208 Gen.1France, 2012 > present103 versions
198 photos
3 videos
but with the addition of an integral roll bar. As per series rules, both the gravel and tarmac versions have a minimum weight of 1,200kg (2646lbs). 

“We still have a great deal of work on our hands, though, since we now need to move on to the next phase of development. This will involve putting as many kilometers on the car’s clock as possible in order to validate its reliability. After that, we will be able to turn our attention to the optimization of its performance potential. Between now and the 208 Type R5’s release for sale, its schedule includes more than 10,000km of testing on gravel and asphalt, in testing and on events," said the R5's technical manager Alexis Avril. 

Peugeot Sport did not really start working on the car until November 6 when the first bare chassis with a roll cage equipped was delivered to them. The engine was installed and started on December 7, and the car made its first test on December 15.