Tuesday 20th January 2004

WRC Peugeot

French choose 307CC for their next rally jaunt

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Peugeot’s new WRC contender will compete for the first time shortly in the gruelling Monte Carlo Rally. This year, Peugeot’s two-time World Champion, Marcus Gronholm, will be joined by exciting Belgian driver ‘fast Freddy’ Loix.

The new car – based on the 307 CC – will replace the successful 206 WRC that has dominated the scene for so long. It uses an all-aluminium 2.0-litre engine that develops up to 300 bhp at 5,250 rpm with 390 lb-ft of torque at 3,500 rpm.

Peugeot Sport’s Technical Director, Michel Nandan says of the Monte Carlo Rally:

"However happy we may be with the way testing went over the winter, we are conscious that the 307 WRC is only at the beginning of its career and nothing can replace actual competition. That doesn't mean we will be in Monte Carlo just to make up the numbers though; Peugeot has its sights set on the world title at the end of the year and our drivers will be out to give it everything they've got. We'll see how it goes… "

[Venom]

Should be interesting to see how it goes. Looks like it's got a much longer wheelbase compared to the 206 WRC so I'd guess that'll cause them to have to approach a lot of the handling issues differently.

When is the Monte? I'm being lazy and can't remember but I think it's the end of next week, is that right?

[fredster]

duno but i cant wate to see the evo in action should be very interesting

[Madmini]

It's this weekend Fri Sat Sun

Andy

[dinkel]

When will this Evo-buster be in production?

[gizard]

Surely they will get all muddy if they wind the roof down!!!

[vladd]

Production, you'll be lucky. They may do a GTi 180 though.

[v8thunder]

Will they pop the roof down to drive onto the winner's podium, removing their helmets to reveal Daveeeeeeeed Ginola-style hairdos?

[Venom]

Madmini said:

It's this weekend Fri Sat Sun Andy

Sweet, I wasn't sure whether it was this weekend or next. Haven't spotted the new slot listing for ITV yet but can't wait. This season is going to seem very od without Burns and McRae though. And Hollywood starting as defending champ?!!

[Podie]

Venom said:

Should be interesting to see how it goes. Looks like it's got a much longer wheelbase compared to the 206 WRC so I'd guess that'll cause them to have to approach a lot of the handling issues differently.

It was chosen for packaging reasons... and the fact that the CC variant has a lower C of G...

[docevi1]

Preview on Friday 12:35AM

no other listing on ITV1 I have a strange feeling ITV have fecked it all up

[mr_yogi]

Are the Rallies no longer on Channel 4?

[anonymous-user]

Podie said:

It was chosen for packaging reasons... and the fact that the CC variant has a lower C of G...

And nothing to do with getting the 307CC on TV to boost sales? Perhaps I'm getting cynical in my old age.

[mattjbatch]

docevi1 said:

Preview on Friday 12:35AM no other listing on ITV1 I have a strange feeling ITV have fecked it all up

Read in motorsport news that they plan to put an hour long slot on sunday afternoons on rally weekends with less talk and more in car footage.

[Podie]

LexSport said:

Podie said: It was chosen for packaging reasons... and the fact that the CC variant has a lower C of G... And nothing to do with getting the 307CC on TV to boost sales? Perhaps I'm getting cynical in my old age.

Actually I'd disagree... they probably make a bigger margin on the ordinary 307... so sure;y they'd be better plugging the 307 GTi...?

[d-man]

I'm sure I've read that using the CC version was purely a marketing decision enforced by management, I'll see if I can dig it out...


EDIT: Here we are (its an old article, so the stuff about when it will compete is pretty out of date now)

www.wrc.com/en_GB/News/2003/008/2003_R_CY_307.htm

Says that the 206 was a marketing decision too, team wanted to use a 306 really.

>> Edited by d-man on Wednesday 21st January 14:10

[Cobaltdawn]

Interesting read. I can't wait to see it in action. It could take a bit of getting used to by Gronholm, the longer wheelbase will make it handle very differently to the smaller 206.

[Podie]

I stand corrected...

[psypher]

docevi1 said:

Preview on Friday 12:35AM no other listing on ITV1 I have a strange feeling ITV have fecked it all up

its listed on teletext as sunday 1540-1640

The Monte Carlo Rally. Angus Scott, Jon Desborough and Robbie Head present highlights from the opening round of the season in Monaco, where changing conditions, varying from ice to dry tarmac, should test the drivers to their limits

[mattjbatch]

Is on sat at 2.10pm as well

[murcielago]

mattjbatch said:

Is on sat at 2.10pm as well

I can't find it anywhere!!!! HELP!!!