Peugeot Oxia

Information

Peugeot Oxia

In the 1980s-90s, Peugeot was trying to turn its reputation around from a boring company that makes economy cars to an exciting manufacturer for the youth. They were very successful with their response to the Mk1 VW Golf GTi, the 205 GTi. They would use the 205 platform to make a rally version, the 205 T16, and win the Driver and Manufacturer titles back to back in 1985 & 86. After Group B banned cars like the 205 T16 in 1987, they continued to enter it in events like the Paris-Dakar Rally and even set new records at the Pikes Peak hill climb. In 1988, Peugeot took its championship mindset and created the Oxia at Peugeot's La Garenne R&D centre on the outskirts of Paris. The Oxia was named after the Oxia Palus region of Mars, situated at longitude and latitude zero: the starting point for geographic measurements. The press saw it 8 days earlier at Peugeot’s Belchamp test track, the public showing took place at the Paris Motor Show.

The Peugeot Oxia was made with Group C racing in mind, which inspired the chassis to be an aluminum honeycomb monocoque that weighed just 81.8kg (108.3 lbs). The wheels were pushed to the extremes of the body with a wheelbase of 2800mm, and the underbody had two venturi tunnels. Suspension was double wishbone with a single gas-filled damper and dual coil springs on each corner. Every wheel had ventilated disc brakes, four-wheel drive, and variable four-wheel steering, derived from the 205 T16. 17-inch center lock, magnesium wheels with Michelin tires were monitored electronically to show tire pressure and temperature.

The Peugeot Oxia used a twin-turbocharged, all-alloy, 2.8L V6, made in partnership with Peugeot-Renault-Volvo (PRV). They would use the lessons from Peugeot's success in rally and running at Le Mans to help with the development. The running at Leman would be integral to the development of the Peugeot Oxia, and had a history going back to 1976. Two Peugeot employees, Gerard Welter and Michel Meunier, had run low-budget cars at Le Mans, but after numerous failures and the lack of a serious budget, they went for the top speed record on the Mulsanne Straight. The goal was to go 400 kph (248 mph), and in 1988, the purpose-built WM Peugeot P88 streamliner clocked 407 kph (252 mph). The Group B and C technologies were put together and created a 680 bhp, 535 lb-ft of torque monster. All of the power was put through a 6-speed, twin-clutch manual, with a 25% front and 75% rear torque split.

The bodywork was carbon fiber and Kevlar epoxy-resin bonded to the aluminum honeycomb structure. With the sleek body style, it had a drag coefficient of .32 and had many advanced features. Below its short nose and long windshield are 18 solar panels that keep the cabin cool, even when stationary. Butterfly doors are electromagnetically unlocked and kept ajar for easy access. An electronic rear spoiler would deploy an extra 3o of rake at 249 kph (155 mph), and when speed dropped below this threshold, it would stay for 60 seconds in the more aggressive position. This all culminated in a top speed of 349 kph (217 mph) at the high-speed test track in Lecce, Italy, and a 0-100 kph (0-62 mph) of just 2.6 seconds.

Along with the technology in the exterior, the interior was packed with advancements. In the center console, a color LCD screen with a disk drive and both occupants had a keyboard in the door panel. The in-car computer had satellite navigation, a route map, and weather and traffic updates. The onboard computer also controlled the automatic air conditioning. The dash was angled on both sides to face the driver with analogue gauges for road speed, engine speed, and turbo boost, but digital gauges for fuel, temperatures, and mileage. For entertainment, there was a Pioneer Hi-Fi CD player and a built-in telephone. The occupants both sat in bucket seats that were upholstered in gray and blue leather to match the gray and blue carpet that lined the whole interior. You were strapped in with 5-point harnesses and could control all your mirrors electronically.

While Peugeot never intended to put the Oxia into production, they made two with a rolling chassis of the Peugeot Oxia concept car, and only one ran. The running model was auctioned from L'Aventure Peugeot in June 2009 to an American collector. Now the museum only has the static model. There is no confirmed location for where it is, but it is assumed to be somewhere in America.