What's the news?

Peugeot has lifted the veil on its 208 T16 Pikes Peak - the machine designed to take rally legend Sebastian Loeb to victory at this year's Pikes Peak event.

Exterior

Well... what a monster! The undeniably cool exterior is a combination of a major aero kit bolted onto a standard(ish) 208 shell. The enormous front splitter and side skirts are specific to the model, but the rear wing is taken from the Le Mans-winning 908. As well as looking good, this new bodywork should help keep the predictably powerful racer on the straight and narrow as it climbs the 156-turn course.

Interior

Inside, there is very little. A full roll cage, a racing seat and a fire extinguisher are pretty much all the creature comforts Loeb will get as he tackles the 12-mile hill-climb. Unusually for Loeb, he will also have to do without the co-driver that he has come to rely on during his time in the World Rally Championship.

Mechanicals

While Peugeot Sport has yet to reveal engine details, it's fair to assume that the company hasn't scrimped on power output. The current world record holder achieved his status last year at the wheel of a 700hp Hyundai Genesis Coupé, so we would expect a similar output from Peugeot's contender.

Anything else?

This year's Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is scheduled for the 30th June, with practice sessions starting on the 25th. The course is now entirely paved and culminates at an altitude of 4,301 metres above sea level. This year marks the 91st anniversary of the legendary event.

James Giddings - 16 Apr 2013