KiwiSimRacing

Having joined Audi in providing that diesels can dominate at Le Mans, Peugeot now wants to show that hybrids -- yes, hybrids -- can compete at the top tier of motor sports. The French automaker has unveiled a gas-electric racer it plans to run in next year's Le Mans series.

The 908 HDi FAP "Hy" made a few laps at Britain's famed Silverstone racetrack last weekend before the final round of the Le Mans series, running a kinetic energy recovery system similar to what we'll see in Formula 1 cars next year. The 908 "Hy" works a lot like a Prius on steroids, with a lithium-ion battery and an 80-horsepower electric motor that can propel the car on electricity alone or provide added power at high speed or during passing moves.

Peugeot says the car is ready to race, but the question remains whether it will be allowed to.

The Automobile Club de l'Ouest -- which sets the rules governing the Le Mans series -- has announced a slew of rule changes meant to eliminate the advantages diesels have enjoyed over gasoline racers, but it's done nothing to allow hybrids onto the grid for 2009. But Peugeot will not be deterred and, according to Britain's Car magazine, says it'll run the 908 Hy as a "Double-Oh" non-competitor so it can continue developing the technology.