The 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show will mark the third important event in the recent motorsport history of Automobiles Peugeot, with the arrival of the 307 WRC.
In June 1998, the path to 3 consecutive World Rally Championship titles was laid with the simultaneous presentation of the 206 and its sports derivative the 206 WRC. With victories in 2000, 2001 and 2002, the 206 WRC is again leading the field this year and could indeed make it four in a row for Peugeot. Although the 206 WRC has been one of the most successful and reliable rally cars in this modern era, it is now however time for the 307 to enhance its range with the unveiling of the 307 "World Rally Championship" version: the 307 WRC.
The success of the 206 WRC followed on from the company's presentation of the 205 Turbo 16 in 1983, jointly with the marketing of its little sister, the 205. The 205 Turbo 16 went on to win the Championships (Manufacturers and Driver's) in 1985 and 1986.
Based on the top-of-the-range version of the 307CC fitted with an engine developing 130 kW, the 307 WRC is Peugeot's next weapon, its destiny being to replace the 206 WRC at exactly the right moment - it is currently triple world champion. Its arrival in the coupé version will be the result of the great advances in development and the still formidable competitive capacity of the 206 WRC which has enabled the Peugeot Sport team to perfect the vehicle before launching the 307 WRC in competition. Its wheels first turned on Christmas Eve 2002; since then the test sessions have become more frequent, both off and on road.
Pre-planning studies began 15 months ago, a choice finally being made in favour of a CC version of the 307, at the request of Peugeot management and the Marketing department, with the production of an even more effective version of the Coupé Cabriolet also being a top priority.
Although heavier than the 5-door model, like any coupé cabriolet the 307 CC requires a certain number of stiffeners; the 307 WRC project benefited from the new legislation which increased the minimum legal weight of the body to 320 kg. The folding parts forming the roof of the cabriolet are now fixed.
One innovation is the 307 WRC gearbox, a 5 speed Hewland, which is located at the rear of the engine in a transverse position, contrary to the one on the 206 WRC which is in a longitudinal position. A conical counter gear situated behind the centre differential provides the drive to the rear wheels. The three differentials - front, centre and rear - are electronically managed.
Another new feature is that the engine is no longer the XU9J4 but the more recent XU7JP4, still with an aluminium block. Power is approximately 300 bhp (221kW) at an engine speed of 5250 rpm with a torque of 580 Nm at 3500 rpm.
Comparative table of the dimensions of the 206WRC and 307WRC
|
206 WRC |
307 WRC |
| Dimensions |
| Length: |
4.005 m |
4.344 m |
| Width: |
1.770 m |
1.770 m |
| Wheelbase: |
2.468 m |
2.610 m |
| Weight: |
1230 kg |
1230 kg |
Homologation of this racing vehicle will be required by January 2004. To obtain homologation, 2500 307 CC 130kW vehicles must have been produced, at the same time as 25, 000 vehicles in the 307 CC range, in twelve consecutive months.