New Peugeot 308TCR for the World Touring Car Cup

Peugeot Sport has unveiled its latest race car, the Peugeot 308TCR. The 2018 model is a significant evolution of the 308 Racing Cup, which itself is based on the Peugeot 308 GTi road car. As its name suggests, the new car is destined for the TCR category, which is now crowned by the newly-launched FIA World Touring Car Cup (WTCR) series.

The chassis, engine, gearbox and aerodynamics of the 308TCR are specific to the TCR and international touring car competitions such as the VLN (in Germany), CER (in Spain) CITE (in Italy), BGDC (in Belgium) and other endurance racing championships like the 24H Series.

The 308 Racing Cup, which was already eligible for the TCR, will continue to be sold. Peugeot Sport says that the two cars are distinct with different philosophies, with the 308TCR “deliberately targeting absolute performance”.

The THP engine benefits from work on the induction, exhaust and turbo for 350 hp and 420 Nm of torque from 3,000 rpm, while maintaining the potential to cover 5,000 km, nearly double the amount needed for an entire WTCR season. The four-pot is paired to a specifically-designed 6-speed sequential gearbox (strengthened from the 308 Racing Cup’s) with steering paddles.

Thanks to significant widening of the track and a specific suspension layout, as well as adjustable anti-roll bars at the front and back and ball joint suspension all-round, the 308TCR benefits from a strong turn-in and a perfectly compliant rear end, Peugeot Sport claims. Adjustable ride height, track, and camber allows for different set-ups for various circuits and drivers.

For braking, the 308TCR makes use of 378×34 mm ventilated discs at the front with six-piston callipers, and 270×12 mm discs at the back with two-piston callipers. A new pedal box rounds things off.

The bodywork was jointly created by Peugeot Sport and the designers from Centre De Style Peugeot, for optimal aerodynamics within an athletic silhouette, thanks to plenty of development work using CFD.

Peugeot Sport says that the front bodywork allows a perfect flow of air towards the radiator and the intercooler, essential for performance and reliability, while the splitter generates maximum possible downforce. The rear bodywork is characterised by a large diffuser for more downforce. The car rolls on specific 18-inch rims.

“The 308 Racing Cup was already eligible for the TCR, but the rapid development of championships based on TCR regulations inspired us to go further in looking for performance to accompany the ambitions of our customers, all the way up to the very top level. In order to meet customers’ justified demands, we’ve used our experience and expertise to come up with a car that is competitive, reliable and always increasingly enjoyable to drive,” said Bruno Famin, Peugeot Sport director.

The Peugeot 308TCR is priced at 109,000 euros before taxes. Running costs were a key consideration when developing the car, and will come in at around 4.50 euros per km, excluding tax and consumables. Order books are now open, and the first cars will be delivered in April.

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