1976
WM'S FIRST LE MANS
On 11 June 1988, on the Mulsanne straight at Le Mans, Roger Dorchy's WM P88 was clocked at 407 km/h — powered by a twin-turbo PRV V6 of about 910 bhp. No car has ever gone faster at Le Mans, and none ever will.
Gérard Welter and Michel Meunier — two Peugeot designers — lined their WM team up at Le Mans every year from 1976 to 1989, always on PRV power. Their goal was singular: not overall victory, but to be the fastest thing on earth down the Mulsanne straight — and to break the 400 km/h barrier.
The P87 came close in 1987 (890 bhp, 2.8 litres). The P88 finished the job with the ZNS5: a 2,974 cc 24-valve PRV, twin-turbocharged to around 910 bhp.
During the 1988 24 Hours of Le Mans, Roger Dorchy takes the P88 through the speed trap on the Mulsanne straight at 407 km/h — the highest speed ever recorded at Le Mans.
The figure was officially announced as 405 km/h — to coincide with the launch of the new Peugeot 405. The real number, 407, would itself become a Peugeot model name years later.
In 1990, two chicanes were added to the Mulsanne straight, capping speeds well below 400 km/h. The P88's mark can never be approached again on that circuit.
P82 (600–890 bhp, Garrett twin-turbo 2.7), P87 (890 bhp, 2.8), P88 (910 bhp, ZNS5) — the three record-chasers are detailed with photos on the Prototypes page.
From 125 bhp in a Volvo saloon to 910 bhp at Le Mans — the same 90° architecture.