Peugeot Extends Diesel’s Dominance of Le Mans | Autopia | Wired.com

Peugeot has at long last broken Audi’s dominance of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, placing one-two in a wild contest that once again saw diesels dominate.

The race was expected to be another demonstration of Audi’s dominion over the Circuit de la Sarthe, where it had won five years running. But this year’s race saw local favorites Peugeot run off like rabbits when le tricolour fell, and Audi - a team once so dominant, resilient, efficient and lucky - simply couldn’t keep up.

Le Mans has emerged in recent years as a key proving ground for diesel technology, an Audi has long led the way with its R-series racers. Diesel offers some distinct advantages over gasoline - namely superior fuel economy and monstrous torque. The prestigious endurance race has allowed Audi and Peugeot to highlight the work they’re doing with diesel engines, which are popular in Europe.

By the time the checkered flag waved Sunday afternoon, Peugeot’s 908 HDi FAP diesel racers were sitting in first and second with Audi coming in third. It was as classic a win as you could imagine for David Brabham, Alexander Wurz and Marc Gene, who put Peugeot in the winner’s circle for the first time 1993. They completed 382 laps of the 8.5-mile circuit in the V-12 twin-turbo diesel machine.

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