Automobile: the Peugeot 208 FR6 is unveiled at Lédenon

La nouvelle 208 Racing FR6, une nouvelle auto pour débuter en rallyes. Peugeot Sport

Peugeot and the French Federation, the day after the Rallye Jeunes final, presented the new 208 Racing FR6 and the trophy in which it will compete.

After the names of the new winners of the Rallye Jeunes operation, revealed on Tuesday 10 December, at the end of the national final, it was time to discover their future car. Still in Lédenon, the representatives of Peugeot Sport and the FFSA met again the following day to unveil the rally car in question: a Peugeot 208 Racing specifically developed for the new FFSA FR6 Trophy.

Léo Rossel took part in its development

A car designed to be accessible to young beginners, while being able to meet the expectations of more seasoned amateur rally drivers. Present to take a few guests on board, the new French rally champion Léo Rossel was well placed to discuss the genesis of this 208 Racing, he who took part in its development.

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“The specifications consisted of defining an entry-level racing car remaining close to the series, but benefiting from real competition equipment, particularly in terms of safety. A car that is easy to drive, in particular thanks to its standard tires”, explained the champion from Gard.

A reduced operating cost

This 208 Racing will be marketed by Peugeot Sport at the fixed price of €38,900 excluding tax. “Beyond the purchase price, it is mainly on the operating cost that the drivers will win, explained Didier Clément, head of customer competition at PSA. With mechanics close to the series, it will prove reliable and economical to maintain. The tire budget will also be reduced to a minimum.”

Approved by the FFSA in a new FR6 category, the beauty will be expected next year in the new federal trophy tailored for it. “It was a strong desire of our new president, Pierre Gosselin, to create such a competition accessible to the greatest number. Divided into four regions, the calendar will give pride of place to regional and national rallies”, specified Samuel Teissier on behalf of the federal authorities.

A 145 horsepower engine

Finally, all that remained was to take a test ride behind the wheel. The opportunity to discover a passenger compartment worthy of higher category cars, both in terms of the dashboard and the magnificent roll cage inherited from the 208 Rally4.

A few laps of the circuit then allowed us to check the good performance of the Michelin tires inherited from the large series, the suspensions developed by Peugeot Sport and a 145 horsepower engine with a power curve perfectly adapted to rallying thanks to specific mapping.