Peugeot 905, the mouth of the Lion

With its spectacular look recalling the stylistic codes of the brand, the Peugeot 9X8 aroused expectations from its presentation. However, the warbling will have to relate to the plumage if it wants to make history. As the 905 did thirty years ago, giving the Sochaux firm its first victory at Le Mans.

Published on 16/07/2022 à 12:00

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Jean-Pierre Jabouille was responsible for developing the 905 in 1990 and launching it in racing, associated with Keke Rosberg © DPPI

After the elimination of Group B in 1986, then the abandonment of an attractive Formula Silhouette project (engine F1 under a production body) in 1988, it is almost by default that Peugeot turned to the Sport-Prototype. The transition to the 3.5 liter naturally aspirated engine, with no consumption limit and the reduction in the duration of the events to 430 km, excluding 24 Hours of Le Mans, convinced Jean Todt (director of Peugeot Talbot Sport, PTS) and Jacques Calvet (boss of PSA). Announced on November 22, 1988, the choice of Peugeot was quite a bolt from the blue, indicating the arrival of the brand in the upper echelons of motorsport.