The attractive 9X8 hybrid hypercar will be the only one on the grid without a rear spoiler, with Peugeot achieving high downforce via an advanced floor design.
After a hiatus of over a decade, the French manufacturer jumped on the WEC bandwagon again after the new technical regulations mandated a hybrid powertrain and allowed for more technical freedom, signaling a creative development war for teams in all areas of the racing program. The 9X8 hypercar is a culmination of the new rules and the experiences drawn from the renowned 908 that competed during the 2011 WEC season.
First teased last year, the final version of the Peugeot 9X8 kept most of the design cues, including the deletion of the rear spoiler! The racecar features Peugeot’s signature front fascia, with the unmistakable triple bar DRLs inside the headlight housing. Moreover, striking neon yellow air deflectors and the low air splitter help generate downforce while cornering.
Naturally, the rest of the car, including the cabin, wheel arches, side skirts, and the tail, are mounted low to slip through the air as efficiently as possible. However, the absence of the rear wings changed the game, shattering perceptions that large rear appendages are required to improve downforce levels.
According to the FIA, hypercars are mandated to have only one adjustable aerodynamic component as part of the overall bodywork. The team at Peugeot realized they could achieve equivalent downforce levels with the help of an innovative underside design.
On the technical front, the 9X8 houses a 2.6-liter twin-turbo V6 engine producing 520 kW (697 hp) and powering the rear axle, accompanied by a 200-kW (268 hp) electric motor on the front axle. The system uses a special power electronics module that optimizes power output based on the conditions and traction needed. Furthermore, the Peugeot 9X8 packs a 900V battery pack system jointly developed with Total Energies/Saft. At the same time, the ICE feeds on a 100% renewable Excellium racing fuel from the same company.
In addition, there’s a change to the driver line-up with the return of Kevin Magnussen to the Haas F1 Team. Hence, Paul di Resta, Jean-Eric Vergne, Mikkel Jensen, Loic Duval, Gustavo Menezes, and James Rossiter will headline the spirited French outfit.
Expressing the return to the racing arena, Linda Jackson, CEO of Peugeot, said, “PEUGEOT’s participation in the FIA World Endurance Championship is further evidence of the brand’s ingenuity and longstanding passion for motorsport. It will also play a role in the essential transfer of technology from the race track to our road-going vehicles, particularly in the field of electrification.”
So far, Peugeot has covered over 10,000 km of extensive testing on various circuits to hone its creation, which is partly why the launch has been pushed back by a few months. The 9X8 will compete against the Toyota GR010 and other heavyweights on July 10 during the 6 Hours of Monza. It will also compete at 6 hours of Fuji and 8 hours of Silverstone later during the year.
Sadly, we’ll have to wait until 2023 for Peugeot to fight for glory at Le Mans. The good thing is Audi, Porsche, and Ferrari are expected to join the party too, which should be pretty fun to watch!
