WEC: Peugeot Unveils Updated 9X8 Hypercar With a Big Rear Wing

Ahead of the World Endurance Championship (WEC) season, French automaker Peugeot has unveiled a revised 9X8 Le Mans Hypercar with notable improvements, such as the addition of a rear wing. With its eye-catching new livery and modified rear wing, the 9X8 2024 is expected to boost Peugeot's WEC chances beginning with the forthcoming round in Imola. However, that is not the only significant alteration; Peugeot redesigned 90 per cent of the bodywork. There's no doubt that at first glance, the race car appears to be essentially the same, but a deeper look reveals some new components. Read on to learn more. 

Peugeot 9X8 Hypercar: Important Updates

After opting for equal-width tyres to avoid a 50/50 weight distribution, the 9X8 now has tyres measuring 290mm up front and 340mm down back, mirroring the ones on its Hypercar category opponents. This change meant that the car's aerodynamic concept had to be completely reworked, with a stronger focus on producing downforce from the upper body surfaces. Compared to its predecessor's underbody ground effect-dependent design, the newly added rear wing is one example of this. Despite the latest enhancements, the 2024 9X8 maintains continuity and eliminates the need for further crash testing by keeping its original monocoque and crash structures in place.

The company says it has been able to improve the hypercar's performance and durability, by refining the powertrain through the rearward redistribution of weight. Peugeot decided to redesign the 9X8 to decrease its reliance on modifications to the Balance of Performance (BoP), which would free up the team to concentrate on creating a competitive car concept free from legal restrictions.

Olivier Jansonnie, Peugeot Sport Technical Director said, “We made choices that are no longer the right ones now and this difference in performance was not sufficiently offset by the BOP (Balance of Performance) in 2023. The idea was therefore to go back to a car design that is similar to our rivals' car design so that it would then be given equivalent treatment by the BOP. This is why we decided to drop the use of identical 31/31cm tyre widths on all the wheels, choosing to fit 29cm tyres at the front and 34cm tyres at the rear. Strictly speaking, it’s not a new car, as it has the same chassis, but there are a lot of upgrades."

Peugeot 9X8 Hypercar: Powertrain Details

While mentioning that the chassis was brought over unaltered, the team made no mention of powertrain upgrades. The new 9X8 is likely powered by the same hybrid system as last year, which combines a 2.6-litre V6 twin-turbo, a motor-generator unit positioned in front, and a single-speed reducer. The electric motor puts out 264bhp while the V6 engine produces 662bhp of maximum power.

Peugeot and 2024 WEC Season

Peugeot wants to make use of the improved 2024 9X8's elements to constantly vie for podiums and wins during the 2024 WEC season. After making its premiere in the Imola 6 Hours, the car will go through a rigorous testing period that includes endurance simulations to get ready for the renowned Le Mans 24 Hours in June. The company plans to maximise the potential of the new 9X8 by using lessons learned from past races.