Duqueine D08
{{Short description|French sports car prototype}}
{{Infobox racing car
|Image = Prototype Cup Germany 2022 Spa Nr. 11 (2).jpg
|Chassis = Carbon Monocoque
|Races = 160
|Titles = 7
|Brakes = AP Racing ventilated discs, 6-pot caliper
|Length = 4600mm
|Width = 1900mm
|Wheelbase = 2940mm
|Teams_champ = 3 (2021 European Le Mans Series), (2020 Le Mans Cup), (2023 Prototype Cup Germany)
|Debut = 2020 Le Mans Cup
|Fuel = Various
|Lubricants = Various
|Tyres = Michelin
|Drivers_champ = 4 (2021 European Le Mans Series), (2020 Le Mans Cup), (2022 Prototype Challenge), (2023 Prototype Cup Germany)
|Engine name = Nissan VK56DE V8 5.6L
|Gearbox name = 6-speed sequential gearbox XTrac 1152
|Team =
|Wins = 46
|Successor = Duqueine D09
|Predecessor = Norma M30
|Weight = 960kg
|Power = 455hp
|Front suspension = Double triangle, pushers - rockers, with 3-way shock absorbers, Adjustable anti-roll bars & 3rd adjustable element front and rear
|Rear suspension = As Front
|Category = LMP3
|Constructor = Duqueine Engineering
| Designer = Olivier Miriel
}}
The Duqueine D08 is a Le Mans Prototype LMP3 built to ACO 2020 2nd Generation Le Mans Prototype LMP3 regulations. It was designed, and built by Duqueine Engineering, which bought out Norma Auto Concept.{{Cite web|url=https://sportscar365.com/lemans/elms/duqueine-mobility-acquires-norma/|title=Duqueine Mobility Acquires Norma – Sportscar365|last=Dagys|first=John|website=sportscar365.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-20}} The car is the successor to the Norma M30. The car can be built from its predecessor, and is set to be eligible in a series of Championships worldwide, such as the European Le Mans Series, and the IMSA Prototype Challenge.{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailysportscar.com/2019/06/13/its-all-systems-go-for-lmp3-gen-ii.html|title=It’s All Systems Go For LMP3 Gen II – dailysportscar.com|website=www.dailysportscar.com|access-date=2019-08-21}} While the car was launched on the weekend of the 2019 24 Hours of Le Mans, it was not physically seen until September 2019, with the car at Le Mans being a repainted M30.{{Cite web|url=https://www.lemans.org/en/news/24-hours-of-le-mans-the-new-2020-lmp3s-unveiled/52221|title=24 Hours of Le Mans – The new 2020 LMP3s unveiled!|website=lemans.org|language=fr|access-date=2019-11-20}}{{Cite web|url=https://sportscar365.com/lemans/elms/2020-lmp3-cars-break-cover-at-le-mans/|title=All Four 2020 LMP3 Cars Break Cover at Le Mans – Sportscar365|last=Lloyd|first=Daniel|website=sportscar365.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-20}}
Developmental history
On 23 May 2018, the Automobile Club de I'Ouest announced a brief outline for the 2020 Generation 2 Le Mans Prototype 3 (LMP3) regulations, alongside new chassis models from four approved manufacturers – Onroak Automotive (Ligier), Duqueine Automotive (Norma), ADESS AG and Ginetta being announced as granted homologation for the new ruleset.{{Cite web|url=https://sportscar365.com/lemans/elms/aco-confirms-first-details-of-2020-lmp3-regulations/|title=ACO Confirms First Details of 2020 LMP3 Regulations – Sportscar365|last=Lloyd|first=Daniel|website=sportscar365.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-23}} On 7 February 2019, the ACO announced the new 2nd Generation Le Mans Prototype 3 (LMP3) regulations, with full implementation due by 2021, and with the cars being expected to be raced from 2020 to 2024.{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailysportscar.com/2019/02/07/2020-lmp3-regulations-revealed.html|title=2020 LMP3 Regulations Revealed – dailysportscar.com|website=www.dailysportscar.com|access-date=2019-06-23}}
Following the unveiling of the car in June 2019, the car underwent its shakedown at Le Pôle Mécanique Alès-Cévennes, with Romain Dumas, at the wheel, before testing moved to the Circuit Paul Ricard, with Nico Jamin at the wheel. David Droux was also involved in the tests. The tests were delayed, due to Duqueine being the last constructor to receive the new, upsized Nissan V8.{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailysportscar.com/2019/09/07/2020-lmp3-progress-for-adess-ginetta-ligier-continues.html|title=2020 LMP3 Progress For ADESS, Ginetta & Ligier Continues – dailysportscar.com|website=www.dailysportscar.com|access-date=2019-11-20}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailysportscar.com/2019/10/30/elms-post-season-news-notebook-whos-staying-whos-moving-up.html|title=ELMS Post-Season News Notebook: Who’s Staying, Who’s Moving Up? – dailysportscar.com|website=www.dailysportscar.com|access-date=2019-11-20}} The car had its public track debut during the post-season testing for the 2019 European Le Mans Series, at the Algarve International Circuit, in Portimão, alongside the Ligier JS P320.{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailysportscar.com/2019/11/01/a-first-look-at-ligier-duqueines-2020-lmp3s-on-track.html|title=A First Look At Ligier & Duqueine’s 2020 LMP3s On Track – dailysportscar.com|website=www.dailysportscar.com|access-date=2019-11-20}}
Key differences between the Norma M30 and the Duqueine D08 include a re-designed front-splitter, modified side pods, a new engine cover and rear wing.{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailysportscar.com/2019/10/25/duqueine-aiming-to-build-lmp3-customer-base-in-2020.html|title=Duqueine Looking To Produce "15 To 20" D08 LMP3s In Year 1 – dailysportscar.com|website=www.dailysportscar.com|access-date=2019-11-20}} Compared to the other 2020 LMP3 cars, the D08 was 10 kg heavier for the 2020 season, due to a weight penalty being imposed on the car as a result of a late submission of homologation paperwork.{{Cite web|url=https://www.endurance-info.com/fr/10-kg-de-plus-pour-la-duqueine-d08-lmp3-en-2020/|title=10 kg de plus pour la Duqueine D08 LMP3 en 2020 {{!}} Endurance info|last=|language=fr-FR|access-date=2019-11-20}}