Sebastien Loeb to front Peugeot's Pikes Peak return in 2013 - Team VVV

News Sebastien Loeb to front Peugeot’s Pikes Peak return in 2013

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James Allen

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Peugeot has enlisted the help of nine-time WRC champion Sebastien Loeb, in a bid for outright victory at this year's Pikes Peak Hillclimb.

Loaned out by Citroen (a company that's conveniently a subsidiary of Peugeot…), Loeb will tackle the infamous 12-mile route in the Rocky Mountains for the first time in a specially-prepared version of Peugeot's 208 T16 rally car.

Peugeot Sport has yet to reveal the full technical specifications and details of the 208 T16 Pikes Peak (these will be announced in the middle of April), but it's been confirmed the team has entered into the top-tier 'Unlimited' class.

As a result, expect the Pikes Peak car to feature considerably more prominent aerodyamic components, to make the most of the route consisting entirely of tarmac for the first time in the event's 97 year history.

It's also being suggested the T16 will be propelled by approx. 600bhp, which is almost double the output of Loeb's DS3 WRC car.

Peugeot has had prior success in the renowned hillcimb event – in 1989, Peugeot won the event in a 205 T16 with American Pikes Peak legend Robby Unser at the wheel.

The most famous of Peugeot's Pikes Peak victories, though, is Ari Vatanen's renowned run in an all-wheel drive 405 T16, which was imortalised in the award-winning 'Climb Dance' short documentary film the following year.

 https://youtube.com/watch?v=C01ipEiEgmQ

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