Peugeot unveils incredible 9X8 Le Mans Hypercar

Peugeot also confirmed that the striking machine, a collaboration between Peugeot’s motorsport arm Peugeot Sport and Peugeot Design, will be all-wheel-drive and hybrid-powered. The traditional element of the drivetrain will be a 2.6-litre petrol V6, producing 680PS (500kW), mated to a 272PS (200kW) front-mounted electric motor and a seven-speed sequential gearbox. Batteries for the 9X8 are 900 volt units developed with Saft, a subsidiary of Total. 

The new Le Mans Hypercar regulations allow manufacturers to include more styling cues to their road cars than the previous LMP1 regulations. The cars will be brought together in terms of performance using a Balance of Performance system devised by the ACO and FIA (who run the World Endurance Championship).

This has allowed the Peugeot 9X8 to take a particularly striking outline, with no rear wing like its competitors and a sleeker bodystyle. The rear instead incorporates a small flicked spoiler between the rear arches low down and the front and rear light structures are all inspired by the latest Peugeot design language. The buff and open front of the 9X8 is also reminiscent of the sadly unraced 905 Evo 2, which earned the nickname “Supercopter”.

Peugeot claim this is the first time the use of wings has been “questioned” since the Chaparral 2F raced in 1967, and include the wording “we didn’t want a rear wing” over the 9X8’s massive rear diffuser.

The car is set to be raced by former F1 drivers Paul Di Resta, Kevin Magnussen and Jean-Eric Vergne as well as sportscar specialists Loic Duval, Mikkel Jensen and Gustavo Menezes. Formula E racer James Rossiter will serve as reserve and simulator driver.