[WRC] Peugeot unveils the new 307 Coupé WRC!!

[novass]

they are gettin rid of the hatch, damn, i liked that car, especially in silver. is Mitsubishi gonna come back next year, anyone know?

[TT]

Originally Posted by novass they are gettin rid of the hatch, damn, i liked that car, especially in silver. is Mitsubishi gonna come back next year, anyone know?

Sure they will, the whole season, and with Gilles Panizzi too

[novass]

Panizzi is racing with Mitsubishi now? ahhh, im so behind. they have really screwed up the programming here, i hardly get to see ralleyes anymore

[TT]

Originally Posted by novass Panizzi is racing with Mitsubishi now? ahhh, im so behind. they have really screwed up the programming here, i hardly get to see ralleyes anymore

Yeah, there are many "moves" right now and that's also thanks to the new rule that says the third driver of a team can't have been on the podium for the past three years! So Peugeot and Citroen has to do something... Burnsie back tu Subaru, Panizzi to Mitsu, McRae or Sainz have to move from Citroen, but apparently they'd like to be together if possible, so it will be complicated...

[heath]

I remember seeing the 307 hatch rally car recently....but this I think looks sexy....but I think at this stage I still prefer the 206 rally car...just seems more stocky and muscly....this seems more frech and elegant, don't get me wrong tho I love that stuff....but not so much in a rally car...it looks a little bit like a short overweight 406. A prepubescent 406 if you will....

[yunet]

307 Coupé WRC is a little bit weird..
especially the size..
206 is the best and best looking WRC car IMO~

[TT]

Here is a report of the latest tests by Marcus Gronhölm:

Reigning world champion Marcus Gronholm says he is 'pleased and excited' by Peugeot's new 307WRC after testing the car in southern France earlier this week.

Gronholm drove the new car at Chateau Lastours and thinks the new car is already as fast as the current 206 model.

"The 307 is fast and it is good," Gronholm told Austosport magazine. "It does feel bigger [than the 206] but I hope that as we make the settings better that will be less of an issue. However, it is already good."

[altezza]

Press release:
THE NEW 307 WRC – A NEW ERA OF SPORTING SUCCESS

The 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show will mark an important moment for Peugeot Sport, as it announces the arrival of its 2004 World Rally Championship contender: the 307 WRC.

Based on the 307 CC, the 307 WRC is Peugeot’s new weapon in the highly competitive, premier rally class. The 307 WRC’s challenge is to replace the ultra-successful 206 WRC car – a motorsport legend that has dominated the scene in recent years and taken Peugeot to three consecutive titles.

The new 307 WRC car has been designed and built in the greatest secrecy at the Vélizy motorsport plant. From design sketches to initial development tests, nearly 400 working days were needed by a dedicated team to bring the project to life.

A rally car boasting a number of innovations

The Peugeot 307 WRC features a number of technical innovations. The gearbox – a Hewland 5-speed – sits transversely coupled to the rear of the engine, unlike the longitudinal mounting on the 206 WRC. Another new feature is the use of the ‘XU7JP4’ engine block. This all-aluminium unit 2.0-litre engine – which is the basis of the 406 1.8 litre production engine – replaces the XU9J4 that powers the 206 WRC car. It develops a maximum power of around 300 bhp at 5,250 rpm with torque of 530 Nm at 3,500 rpm.

Total commitment from Peugeot and all its partners

The new 307 WRC programme represents an exciting challenge. Peugeot can rely on total commitment from its partners who, by associating their image with the marque’s already legendary competitive record, are working with the Marlboro Peugeot Total Team to accept the ultimate challenge – winning new titles to add to those obtained in 1984, 1985, 2000, 2001 and 2002.

http://www.uploadit.org/files/310803-33981peu-.jpg

Comparative dimensions of the 206 WRC and 307 WRC

Dimensions Length Width Wheelbase Weight
206 WRC 4.005 m 1.770 m 2.468 m 1230 kg
307 WRC 4.344 m 1.770 m 2.610 m 1230 kg

[sbbs]

Originally Posted by altezza Press release: Dimensions Length Width Wheelbase Weight 206 WRC 4.005 m 1.770 m 2.468 m 1230 kg 307 WRC 4.344 m 1.770 m 2.610 m 1230 kg

Whoah! They have the same weight? The team are good at losing weight of the car... hehehe... is it the minimum weight according to the rule?

Also the dimensions aren't that big in difference also. So we'll wait and see how this car will perform.

[WRX]

I think it looks pretty good and I am sure they will continue to dominate. I sure wish Subaru would come step it up. Maybe with Burns back we will start to win again.

[geekdiggy]

Originally Posted by sbbs the dimensions aren't that big in difference also. So we'll wait and see how this car will perform.

you got that right. they said the 307 is already as fast as the 206, and that's AMAZING for a cabriolet-based car.

i personally don't think the 307 will dominate like the 206 did only because the focus is just so god damn fast now days. plus the citroen is getting MIGHTY QUICK and will remain so with the likes of carlos sainz. subaru will have burns and solberg.

next year = interesting

307 = the end of peugeot's reign


i sure hope i eat my words on that one

[tkach]

i personaly dont understand the move to the 307 from the 206. i also cant keep up wit hall the driver moves anymore i dont have any channel that shows wrc cause in america all they wanna show is nascar and that pisses me off. but i wont get into that cause id be here all night. id really like to see what happens this year tho.

[lauriv]

From what I've read, it's as much the marketing that decides what car too use (=promote) as the sports department. The new 307 sure needs more promotion than the soon-to-be-replaced 206.
About the weight - they use extra ballast weight anyway to stay within the allowed limit of 1230 kg, so it's normal that the new car weighs the same as the previous one, even though it's bigger.
The increase in size is an advantage on fast rallies (more length gives more stability), but on most events we'll have to see... I personally liked the 206 more.

[Chingachgook]

I don't like that a rally car is built from a Coupè-Cabriolet!
It's a shame only Mitsu and Subaru have, for sale, rally-replica cars!
:shock: :shock:
The 307 is a gay car...not a rally car!

[1zippo1]

I don't really like the look.

In my oppinion, the 206 WRC looks much better. Really like the look of that one.