Peugeot 9X8, the Hypercar born to win at Le Mans

The lion brand will return next year, 2022, to the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the new Peugeot 9X8, a hypercar designed under the new Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) regulations, which replace the top category we knew as LMP1. A category that allows greater lightness in the aerodynamics of these hypercars, and thanks to which this 9X8 features an unprecedented design.

Peugeot’s goal with the 9X8 is to conquer the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the WEC for the fourth time, since the French firm has not managed to take victory in this championship since 2009, when Marc Gené was behind the wheel.

A brand heritage behind it

The name of this Hypercar, as Peugeot rightly says, recalls the brand’s heritage and projects it into the future, since the initial 9 characterized the brand’s competition cars, such as the 905 that raced in the WEC between 1990 and 1993, or the 908 that ran between 2007 and 2011 and with which they achieved their last victory.

The X symbolizes the all-wheel-drive and hybridization technologies, technologies this hypercar indeed features. Finally, the 8 represents the number that names all the brand’s current models, such as the Peugeot 208, the 3008 or the 508.

Avant-garde design

The most prominent element this 9X8 lacks, and which gives it its striking aesthetic, is the rear wing. According to Peugeot’s design team, it is dispensable thanks to the large diffuser it features, on which they have added a phrase as a humorous touch that reads “We need no rear wing” (We don’t need a rear wing). The overall design of this prototype carries smooth lines and a very futuristic aesthetic, without forgetting the brand’s design language, with front headlights shaped like the three claws, rear lights of the same shape, and the new backlit badge on the front and sides of the car.

V6 engine with hybrid technology

The powertrain that this Hypercar will carry is a 2.6-litre twin-turbo six-cylinder that produces 680 CV of power, installed at the rear and supported by a 200 kW electric motor at the front, together with a seven-speed sequential gearbox and the battery.

Test sessions for the 9X8 are scheduled for the coming months under the guidance of major competition figures such as Paul Di Resta, Kevin Magnussen, Gustavo Menezes, Jean Eric Vergne, Loïc Duval, among others.