FIA WEC: Peugeot reveals new weapon to contest Toyota and Glickenhaus

Text: Rick Kiewiet,

Images: Peugeot Sport

Today, July 6th 2021, marks the day Peugeot unveiled its new hypercar to the world. The car will run in the FIA WEC and at its blue ribbon event the 24 hours of Le Mans from 2022.

Most eye-catching design-feature is the lack of a rear-spoiler, described by Peugeot in their press release as something they simply did not want. The aerodynamic regulations in the hypercar class allowed the designers to create enough downforce to omit the necessity of a rear wing. In the words of Peugeot's Motorsport Director Jean-Marc Finot in Peugeot's press release:

“The absence of a rear wing on the PEUGEOT 9X8 is a major innovative step. “We have achieved a degree of aerodynamic efficiency that allows us to do away with this feature. Don’t ask how, though! We have every intention of keeping that a secret as long as we possibly can!”

Furthermore the car will be powered by a 2.6l twin-turbo v6, delivering 500kw (680 bhP) to the rear axle and a 200kw electric motor powering the front axle.

Peugeot paid special attention to the cars fuel-efficiency, as according Finot: “Le Mans has become a 24-hour sprint race that can be won or lost by the number of times you pit."

Confirmed drivers of the car are:

Paul Di Resta (SCO)

Loïc Duval (FRA)

Mikkel Jensen (DEN)

Kevin Magnussen (DEN)

Gustavo Menezes (USA)

James Rossiter (ENG)

Jean-Eric Vergne.