Peugeot 9X8 Le Mans Hypercar revealed

UPDATE, January 21: Race cars look just as good not moving as when they're on the race track – or at least that's what Peugeot wants you to think.

The French manufacturer has shown off a series of "ultimate design" images of its upcoming 9X8 hybrid racer, highlighting its unique but functional design – including its notable lack of a rear wing.

For Peugeot's sake, we hope the car spends less time stationary when it's on the race track, having recently taken to European circuits for testing (below).

15

The story to here

15

January 20: Peugeot has revealed more of its 9X8 hybrid Le Mans 24 Hours and World Endurance Championship (WEC) race car, although with changes over its first showing.

Peugeot's 9X8 is the latest competitor the team will run and with high expectations, as both the 1990s' 905 and 2000s' 908 both won at Le Mans.

It will miss competing in Florida for the 12 Hours of Sebring race, and it is not known exactly when the new 9X8 will make its debut as it undergoes further validation. However, the 9X8 must compete in at least one event before the Le Mans 24 Hours, which is held this June.

15

Last year, Peugeot released images of the model with a small rear wing, but these new photos show it without a rear wing, which appears to be the direction the French outfit is taking for its Le Mans competitor.

Peugeot's technical director, Olivier Jansonnie, confirms that rear wing removal is the right direction, although testing is not complete on the aerodynamics.

"Our calculations and wind-tunnel work have confirmed the pertinence of our decision to run without a rear wing. Along with the developments and settings this option calls for, we expect it to be validated as we test at different circuits with differing characteristics."

15

Peugeot design director, Matthias Hossan further added that the 9X8 blends both the brand's design language and aerodynamic needs.

"Since the 9X8 is a Peugeot, the original sketch that steered our work portrayed a big cat ready to pounce – a stance that we have suggested by the slightly forward-tilting cockpit. The overall lines express the brand's styling cues, while its sleek, racy, elegant forms inspire emotion and dynamism.

"An effort was also made to replicate the look of the Peugeot 'i-Cockpit' dashboard layout inside the 9X8 – an area of racing cars which, until now, tended to be purely functional rather than deliberately styled."

15

Powering the racer is a rear-mounted 2.6-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine producing 500kW and a front-mounted electric motor developing 200kW through a seven-speed sequential transmission.

It is expected that the first official outing will be at the Spa 24 Hours, although remaining non-committal Stellantis motorsport director Jean-Marc Finot said: “The 9X8 will make its race debut based on its level of readiness, reliability and competitiveness as agreed with the championship’s organisers, who we'll keep regularly updated as our development programme progresses."