From autoindustry.co.uk 

In Paris last week Peugeot launched its 908 racecar with which it will aim to become the second manufacturer to win the Le Mans 24 Hour race with diesel power.

The Peugeot 908 is a closed roof car powered by a V12 TDI engine driving through a gearbox supplied by the UK company Ricardo Motorsport. The team of drivers announced in Paris includes the 1997 FIA Formula One World Drivers Champions Jacques Villeneuve.

The team has planned an extensive development programme which will include 15 races and three tests to simulate the Le Mans 24 Hours race. The team will go to Sebring but not for the race, only the test sessions.

The first races for the Peugeot 908 will be the Le Mans Series races at Monza, Italy in April and Valencia, Spain in May, ahead of the Le Mans 24 Hours in June.

Mercedes Benz tuner, Brabus, is introducing the PowerXtra D8 (III) kit for the ML and GL 420 CDI (GL420 pictured). The tuning kit bumps up the already stout 306hp to 350hp, adds 74ft-lbs of torque, and remains emission compliant. This extra power shaves half a second from the 0-60 and gives it a 10mph increase to the top speed.

The power modification can be done at your local Mercedes Benz dealer in under 30 minutes and still retain your warranty, which suggests it’s only a computer adjustment, but I’m just happy to see more tuners getting involved with diesel performance.

Now we just have to be patient and wait a year or two for the diesel version to come to the States.