Motorsport: Peugeot runs out of puff

Peugeot started as overwhelming race favourite, but quickly came a cropper. Photo / Supplied

Peugoet's plans to launch the RC-Z coupe in New Zealand on the back of a winning clean sweep in the Le Mans endurance classic were dented when its three team cars were forced to retire.

Germany's Audi won the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the ninth time on Sunday after defending champion Peugeot had started as overwhelming race favourite by securing the four top spots on the starting grid.

The French carmaker's diesel-powered 908s were clearly faster in practice and qualifying than the Audi R15 Plus, but the 908s ran into countless problems during the race, including engine and turbo failure, suspension damage and shorting electrics.

It was one of the biggest upsets in decades. Peugeot last year had finally broken Audi's iron grip on the Le Mans race over the last decade by beating the team at its own game with a diesel engine. It was expected to repeat the success this year.

But Audi swept the top three spots at the 13.6km Circuit de la Sarthe to tie Ferrari for second place in the list of the most successful manufacturers at Le Mans. Porsche has the best record with 16 wins.

Audi team director Dr Wolfgang Ullrich said: "We were confident that the cars would be reliable and last the 24 hours.

"We knew we were not as fast as the Peugeots, and I told the drivers to drive fast, but without taking risks."

Scotland's Allan McNish, who drove the Audi that finished third, said the team was surprised, delighted and a little let down.

"We didn't believe we would be able to do a one-two-three, that's for sure," McNish said in a television interview. "We didn't like to see the Peugeots go out like that - I like to fight to the end."

Peugeot's problems started early in the race. The first car retired after three hours with suspension damage. An hour later the second car dropped out with turbo failure. The third Peugeot ended its run two hours before the finish with engine failure, after it had earlier stopped for 12 minutes to fix an electrical problem while leading.

Audi's win was its fourth top-three finish after sweeping the top three spots in 2000, 2002 and 2004.

"At the beginning it was a little unlucky for us, but at the end it worked out fine," said Ullrich. "It's a great reward for all the work everyone has done. I think this has to be the hardest Le Mans we've ever done."

The result wasn't what Peugeot wanted but it hasn't dampened down the party it has in mind in New Zealand in August for the 308-based RC-Z coupe.

The RC-Z is at the front of a renewed push by the French carmaker to blend its traditional ride and handling strengths with world-leading CO2 emissions standards.

It will be the French carmaker's "image product", profiling new engine technology and pointing to future styling cues.

"In short," says Peugeot New Zealand divisional manager Simon Rose, "the RC-Z is the epitome of the brand's future. It is an outstanding example of Peugeot's innovative and stylish looking products. "It's testament to the investment channelled into research and design, albeit in the middle of a challenging world economy."