Peugeot introduced its new car, the Peugeot 24X9 Le Mans Hypercar, which it produced for the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and Le Mans 8 Hours, at an online event.
9X8, which was created with the collaboration of PEUGEOT SPORT ENGINEERED team and PEUGEOT Design designers; It is preparing to herald a new era in motor sports with its aesthetic and flowing lines, aerodynamic structure, design that does not require a rear wing, and a strong brand identity. The new 2022X2 Le Mans Hypercar, which will compete with 9 vehicles in the 8 FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC); With its 4-wheel drive hybrid powertrain, it reflects PEUGEOT's Neo-Performance strategy, which expresses its environmentally conscious performance for road and race cars. As part of the PEUGEOT HYBRID9 8KW powertrain at the rear of the PEUGEOT 4X500 Le Mans Hypercar; There is a 2,6-liter, bi-turbo, 90-degree V6-cylinder 500 kW (680 HP) engine. This power of the hyper racing car is supported by the 200 kW engine-generator unit located at the front, the seven-speed sequential gearbox and the battery.
PEUGEOT unveiled its new car, the PEUGEOT 9X8 Le Mans Hypercar, which will revolutionize motorsport, with a live broadcast event on the online platform. Developed by PEUGEOT SPORT ENGINEERED in concert with the PEUGEOT Design team, the prototype hypercar is preparing to continue the brand's long-term success in the high-end motorsport scene. New 9X8 Le Mans Hypercar; It draws attention as a project in line with PEUGEOT's Neo-Performance vision, with its high-class sporty past that can also be adapted to road cars, its cutting-edge design, high efficiency level and advanced technologies.
Shaped by endurance races
The 9X8 Le Mans Hypercar, described as PEUGEOT's newest durable racing car; He stands out as the heir to the PEUGEOT 9, which also inspired the number 1992 in its name, winning the Le Mans 1993 Hours in 24 and 905, and the PEUGEOT 2009, which won the French Classic Race in 908. The X in the car's name also refers to the hybrid powertrain that embodies the all-wheel drive technology used in the Hypercar and the brand's strategy of transitioning to electric in the world of motorsports. The last number 8 represents the last digit PEUGEOT uses in current models of the brand, with the 208, 2008, 308, 3008 and 5008 being the first model to be equipped with the PEUGEOT SPORT ENGINEERED label. Despite all its roots, the 508X9 Le Mans Hypercar, whose aerodynamic solutions and originality are immediately recognizable; It was created by the collaboration of development engineers under the responsibility of PEUGEOT Sport Technical Manager Olivier Jansonnie and the design team led by PEUGEOT Design Manager Matthias Hossann. Same zamThe PEUGEOT 2022X2 Le Mans Hypercar, which will compete as 9 cars in the 8 FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC), has been awarded by the FIA (International Automobile Federation) and ACO (Automobile Club de l'Ouest), replacing the old LMP1 category of endurance racing. It was shaped according to the Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) class regulations. Flexibility in the technical rules regarding aerodynamics in the new directive allowed PEUGEOT design teams to work more freely and to create new ways of thinking. With this flexibility, PEUGEOT's teams of engineers and designers moved away from existing codes and developed new creative processes to produce an entirely new hypercar.
Aerodynamics are shaped by unique looks
The sculpted wheels in the exterior of the new PEUGEOT 9X8 LE Mans Hypercar contribute to the car's regular, sharp and balanced side lines. Wing vents reveal the top of the tires, while mirrors that are perfectly integrated into the body contribute to the impression that air is flowing over the car and reveal the vehicle's aerodynamics. As with PEUGEOT's commercial models, the 9X8's light signature showcases the triple claw look. The brand's new lion head logo is applied on the front and sides of the car as backlit. Selenium gray and contrasting kryptonite acid green/yellow highlights on both the body and cockpit reflect the new PEUGEOT SPORT ENGINEERED color scheme introduced with the 508 and 508 SW models. Expressing his views on the subject, PEUGEOT Design Manager Matthias Hossann said, “The 9X8 is a PEUGEOT. Accordingly, the original sketches that guided our work depict a large cat ready to leap, including the cockpit slightly tilted forward. The general lines of the PEUGEOT 9X8 express the brand's design cues, while the elegant forms reflect emotion and dynamism.”
Wingless rear arrangements maximize potential
The brand's claw-effect light signature is featured on the rear design of the car, which has been meticulously processed. The taillights also surround a large diffuser with the inscription "We didn't want a rear wing". Thus, the existence of the rear wings used in the Chaparral 24F vehicle for the first time in the Le Mans 2 Hours race is questioned half a century later with the PEUGEOT 9X8 Le Mans. In this context, the innovative rear of the hypercar demonstrates a new approach, with research conducted by PEUGEOT Sport's engineering team. The absence of the rear wing on the PEUGEOT 9X8 also brings with it the freedom to design a stylish silhouette not seen in decades. With the devoted work of designers and engineers; The harmonious mix of dynamic and recessed shapes that create a clean, wide surface between the fenders is revealed with the PEUGEOT 9X8 Le Mans.
Evaluating the issue, Olivier Jansonnie, Technical Manager of PEUGEOT Sport WEC Program, said, “The new Le Mans Hypercar regulations are prepared to demonstrate the importance of traditional performance enhancing systems. Designing the 9X8 has been a passionate experience. We had the freedom to invent, innovate and explore new ways to optimize the car's performance and especially its aerodynamics. Regulations allow only one adjustable aerodynamic part without specifying the rear wing. "Our calculations, studies and simulations have shown that high performance can be achieved without wings." Stellantis Motorsports Manager Jean-Marc Finot evaluated the absence of the rear wing as an innovative step and said, “Thanks to the aerodynamic efficiency we have achieved, we have eliminated this feature. Don't ask how. "We intend to keep this a secret for as long as possible."
Unique design and quality craftsmanship are noticeable in the interior
The same care taken for the exterior design of the PEUGEOT 9X8 was also shown inside the car. Commenting on the cockpit, PEUGEOT Design Manager Matthias Hossann said, “We wanted to bring a special approach to the race car cockpit, which has hitherto been purely function-oriented, non-authentic and lacking in brand identity,” said PEUGEOT Design Manager Matthias Hossann. "It gave the 9X8's cockpit a distinctive look while also making it instantly recognizable as a PEUGEOT in interior shots." Linda Jackson, CEO of PEUGEOT, said: “I know the PEUGEOT Design and PEUGEOT Sport teams very well and zamThey produce quality, innovative works at the moment. But I have to admit that the 9X8 fascinated me. It is truly magnificent. The way its innovative, flowing lines radiate such a strong brand identity is masterful.”
Hyper-efficient hybrid powertrain
After it was announced in September last year that PEUGEOT endurance races will compete in the new Le Mans Hypercar class, intensive work continued on the performance of the 9X8 at the factory in Versailles, near Paris. In this context, as part of the PEUGEOT HYBRID4 500KW power-transmission system to the rear of the car; A 2,6-liter, bi-turbo, 90-degree V6-cylinder internal combustion engine is positioned. The 500 kW (680 HP) engine has been undergoing tests since April. In front of the car is a 200 kW engine-generator unit, a seven-speed sequential gearbox and a battery. The powerful, high-voltage, high-density 900 volt battery with advanced technology was developed in collaboration with PEUGEOT Sport and Saft, a subsidiary of TotalEnergies. “We aimed for perfect reliability and perfect control while meeting our energy needs,” said Jean-Marc Finot, Stellantis Motorsports Manager, “Le Mans is a 24-hour race that you can win or lose depending on the number of pits. The high energy efficiency of the new hypercar prefigures the technology we will soon see in road cars. “When developing the PEUGEOT 9X8, we aimed for hyper-efficiency in every aspect, from the powertrain to the aerodynamics.”
Le Mans is a test and laboratory space for PEUGEOT
New PEUGEOT 9X8; In addition to aerodynamic, mechanical and electronic efficiency, it also showcases PEUGEOT's many years of engineering and expertise in the world of endurance racing. The distance covered by the cars in the challenging 24 Hours of Le Mans race lasts for 1 kilometers, which is close to the distance covered in the entire season of Formula 5.400. This highlights the importance of efficiency and reliability. “PEUGEOT's participation in endurance racing is much more than just sportiness,” said Linda Jackson, CEO of PEUGEOT; “The endurance race is an extraordinary laboratory that tells us why our relationship with Le Mans is so strong. A semi where we face challenging conditions for 24 hours provides an important opportunity to see the results of our technology and research work. This opportunity is more important than the results we achieved on the racetrack. Le Mans provides us with a competitive environment to try out the hybrid systems and technologies we are currently developing to reduce the fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of our road cars. PEUGEOT Sport teams are proud that research is used in series production. Le Mans is a laboratory for our customers, where they can witness the quality of cars.”
What did the pilots say?
“Everyone was wondering what Hypercars would look like, now they're here. The aggressive, innovative stance and strong brand identity of the 9X8 are a big surprise.” Former Formula 1 Driver and Scottish 2010 DTM Champion Paul Di Resta (35)
“There are cars that are considered beautiful when viewed from the front, the diagonal, the side or the rear. 9X8 looks great from every angle!” 2013 Le Mans 24 Hour Winner and 2013 World Endurance Champion Frenchman Loic Duval (39)
“The lines of the 9X8 are very different from those introduced or described in recent months. If we win with this car, it will be a historic moment because nothing like this has been tried before.”2019 ELMS LMP3 Champion and Endurance Race Driver Danish Mikkel Jensen (26)
“Nothing like this has happened before. It really looks like the future of racing. It is the first time that so much effort has been put into the design of a racing car. The absence of the rear wing was a big surprise. It feels like the beginning of a new era.” Kevin Magnussen from Denmark, former Formula 1 driver and IMSA endurance Racing Driver (28)
“The 9X8 marks the beginning of a new era in motorsport racing. The past 10 years have been marked by LMP1 prototypes. Creating an iconic future with 9X8 zamThe moment had come.” World Endurance Championship Driver, 2016 LMP2 Le Mans 24 Hour Winner and 2016 LMP2 World Champion American Gustavo Menezes (26)
“I really didn't expect this much creativity. Its design is indeed exciting. PEUGEOT's Hypercar pushed the limits.” Former Formula 1, ALMS and Super GT Driver James Rossiter (37)
“The PEUGEOT 9X8 is revolutionary. The teams responsible for its design took it in a direction long unseen in motorsport. Spectacular!" Former Formula 1 Driver and two-time Formula E Champion, French Jean-Eric VERGNE (31)
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