For many Audi enthusiasts, the only news out of Paris was most assuredly the launch of the R8. However, there was plenty more to see at the event, some that directly has impact on Audi. Take Peugeot's official introduction and confirmation that they intend to compete at Le Mans in 2007 with a diesel.
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Does anyone really think Peogeot can win Le mans 2007?.........no! This might be seen as a biased statement seeing that I have supported Audi since I was knee high, but Peogeot has simply bitten off more than they can chew.
Why woun't they win:
1) Most (almost all) manufacturers get an outside company to mould the cars, all the carbon fiber. The cars are designed by the car company but the body is made outside. Audi's R8 and R10 was moulded by Dallara. BMW's V12 LMR of 1999 was done by Williams. It is done this way because the car companies don't need in house carbon fiber moulding ficilities.
Peogeot will be moulding everything in house! So they need to build a moulding factory, from scratch.
2) Peogeot don't even have facitlities to build the cars, they only have the Rally car facilities and the WRC is very diffirent to Sports car racing.
3) Started too late. 3 years ago the secret was out that Peogeot would return and last year the diesel was confirmed. At Le Mans they had an engine. No car, no drivers, no factory, no test program and they want to race at Sebring in March 2007. All in 8 months...PLEASE??
Peogeot is setting them up for a public display of complete stupidity. One Le Mans commentator said. "At this stage it looks like the Peogeot program is going to be a day late and a dollar short".
I would bet my life Audi would win next year, but I am not saying Peogeot are doomed. I am sure everyone (including myself) would encourage more factory teams to go up against Audi. Peogeot are just trying too much too quickly. Maybe 2008 would be a better call, but 2007....a bit rushed I would say.
I think that even Peugeot tehmselves have said that they are realisticly shooting to compete in 08. It will be nice to see the competition, and the ACO won't cut the diesel's power. Also, I haven't seen any Audi Q7 V12 TDI pictures, I have seen the engine out of the car, but no actual Q7 pictures. Why is that?
Quote, originally posted by MEIN_VW »
This place is is insane - the biggest complaint I hear in the Car Lounge is that VW's are too expensive when loaded up with options and yet when they want to decontent and lower the price, the complaints get even louder. You can't have it both ways.
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