Making a strong statement in their first 24-hour race, the Peugeot Sport team earned the pole position and finished a strong second with their all-new 908 HDi FAP diesel sport car. The number 8 car, driven by Stéphane Sarrazin, Sébastien Bourdais and Pedro Lamy, performed impressively in the 24-hour endurance classic enabling Peugeot Sport to collect valuable data and experience that will prove useful in preparing the 2008 race.

A critical component of the all new diesel powertrain was the advanced diesel particulate filters (DPF) designed and developed by Dow Automotive.   “We were delighted to join Peugeot Sport in their successful return to Le Mans and look forward to continued success with both passenger car  and race track Peugeot programs,” said Peter Sykes, president of Dow Automotive. “Our work with DPF technology is backed by solid research and development. Our engineers love the challenges of motorsports, and working with the Peugeot Sport team has been excellent.  The engineers aren’t wasting any time and are already talking about improvements for 2008.”

Dow Automotive’s DPF technology is a primary element of the Peugeot 908 HDi FAP 5.5 litre, V12 racing engine.  Dow Automotive DPFs are specifically designed to be lightweight and compact, contributing to lower overall vehicle mass. They produce very low back pressure that enables optimum engine power, torque performance and fuel efficiency while dramatically reducing particulate emissions. These benefits are magnified under race conditions, when the DPFs perform at extremely high operating temperatures, mass flow and ramp rates.

The technology behind the filters was developed by Dow Automotive to enable customers to meet increasingly stringent global diesel emission regulations for both light- and heavy-duty diesel engines.

“Despite the challenging conditions during the race, we were able to demonstrate that the 908 HDi FAP is able to combine both high performance and clean diesel emissions;” said Michel Barge, director of Peugeot Sport. “The Dow Automotive DPF was essential to that success.”

About Dow Automotive

Dow Automotive is a leading global provider of technology-driven solutions that meet consumer demands for vehicles that are safer, stronger, quieter, lighter, cleaner, more comfortable and stylish. The organization provides plastics, adhesives, glass bonding systems, sealants, emissions control technology, films, fluids and structural enhancement and acoustical management solutions to OEM, tier and aftermarket customers around the world. For additional information about Dow Automotive products, services, and application development centers, visit www.dowautomotive.com.

About Peugeot Sport

Peugeot has almost a century of motorsports heritage and success.  In 1913, in only the third ever Indy 500, a Peugeot driven by Jules Goux won the race.  Early Peugeot race cars were notable for pioneering applications of advanced technologies like four valves per cylinder and double overhead cams.   Over the years, Peugeot has raced in Formula One, World Championship Rallies, Touring Cars, Pikes Peak, Dakar and Le Mans.  Peugeot won Le Mans in both 1992 and 1993.  For more information, visit www.peugeot-sport.com