208 R2 (France, 2012)

Peugeot launched the new 208 Rally car, the new 208 R2 will act as the 'zero' car that goes through the course first during the Tour de Corse rally on May 10-12.

Power for the R2 comes from a modified version of Peugeot's 1.6 VTi engine with 185hp. The cars will come with engines that have already been built, run-in and checked on a dyno. The gearbox is completely new compared to the 207 RC Rallye. It is a five-speed, sequential unit. It is equipped with cooling fins, and the front air dam directs air to the transmission. The body of the 208 R2 is 40kg lighter than previous 207, and it has a lower center of gravity. The car comes with a multi-point roll cage. To lower vehicle cost, the R2 has lower fuel consumption thanks to its lower weight. It uses the same Öhlins suspension as found in the 207 RC Rallye. As opposed to the road car's electricmechanical steering system, the R2 has switched to hydraulic power steering for better feedback. The brakes, clutch and wheels are spec units dictated by racing regulations.

Stéphane Sarrazin and co-driver Benjamin Veillas will drive the 208 R2 as the zero car during the IRC Tour de Corse Rally. The two of them will not be competing, but the car will sweep the track first to clean it for subsequent cars and make sure the stage is ready to use.  

The R2 is meant as an entry-level rally car for motorsports customers. The R2 class is the FIA's new name for the S1600 class. The cars are fitted with naturally aspirated engines with a base weight of 1030kg. The car will also be used in Peugeot's Volant single-make racing series.