Peugeot has revealed its 9X8 Hypercar, which the brand hopes will recapture the 24 Hours of Le Mans trophy and the World Endurance Championship crown when it races in 2022.
The 9X8 is laid out similarly to other cars in the Le Mans Hypercar category. It features a mid-mounted, 2.6-liter V6 which drives the rear wheels, and a front-mounted motor system driving the front wheels. Between the biturbo petrol engine and the motors, the car produces some 938hp, but in competition trim this is limited to 670hp with software to balance the power sources.
However the 9X8 does feature one rather novel approach to the formula, as is apparent when you view the car from the rear: it has no rear wing at all.
Peugeot and Peugeot Sport claim that the 9X8’s aerodynamics mean that a rear wing is simply not necessary, with the car generating sufficient downforce from existing forms and contours.
This approach could give Peugeot an interesting advantage. LMH regulations require that the cars only have one adjustable aerodynamic element, but don’t specify the rear wing. An adjustable rear wing, with the profile changed for various circuits — like the long straights of Le Mans compared to the bends of Sebring and Portimao — alters the vehicle handling balance.
If Peugeot has found a solution which brings the downforce adjustments more towards the center of the car, it should perform in the same manner on every circuit. Quite how Peugeot has achieved this though is under wraps for now, with Jean-Marc Finot, motorsport director at Stellantis, commenting:
“The absence of a rear wing on the Peugeot 9X8 is a major innovative step. We have achieved a degree of aerodynamic efficiency that allows us to do away with this feature. Don’t ask how, though! We have every intention of keeping that a secret as long as we possibly can!”
The car’s name draws from Peugeot’s Le Mans history too. Peugeot won the race with the 905 and 908, in 1992, 1993, and 2009, and that gives the car the “9” in its name. The “8” comes from the brand’s current road car naming strategy, and the “X” in the middle refers to the four-wheel drive system.
Peugeot has been testing the 2.6-liter petrol engine since April, although the battery and motor are still in development but on schedule. The car will debut in the 2022 FIA World Endurance Championship, where it’ll face rivals from Toyota and Glickenhaus, along with the LMP1-derived Alpine A480, and a planned car from ByKolles.
For now you can enjoy a short preview of the car in action, strangely made with Assetto Corsa:
See more articles on Le Mans Hypercars and Peugeot.
Peugeot have been here before with the initial 905 being all design over substance and it was only with the 905 bis that they got it right.. Only time will tell if the concept will work.. I hope it does as the car looks stunning
Now that’s what you call a real Le Mans hypercar design! Anyway, welcome back to endurance racing Peugeot! Will support your LMH program hehe!
It looks awesome! About time we get some true unique creativity in the design of these hyper race cars
This looks awesome. You have to wonder if over time an evolution of the car will eventually get a rear wing to maintain competitiveness. But may be they have found something in the rules that makes it unnecessary. You’d imagine following cars are going to get less of a slipstream without a rear wing punching a big hole in the air, so advantage Peugeot – interesting!
Design is 11 over 10 !!!
I don’t care if the competition is better, I am rooting for this car based on look alone…
A game changer. Peugeot is awesome. Have a feeling it will easily dominate in Hypercar class.
I like this car. I understand that it doesn’t need a wing but I feel like that is what it is missing. Other than that great looking car and a great intro video . I enjoyed the brief look a some historic Peugeot racers
This is what sex on wheels looks like!
yes sir it does
Looks like a monsta if ever I saw one!
I think this looks absolutely incredible. This is the sort of thing that people must have been expecting when Hypercars were first announced. Novel and interesting solutions instead of the LMP1 downgrade we have this year.
Can’t wait to see it go racing. I hope Toyota is quaking in their boots right now.
I like the scene from 1:08 till 1:11, that is the best part: my favorite car. The rest is ugly. Maybe with I nice livery it looks better. Or at least I hope so.