Much was made of the car’s rear wing-less design when the first concept was revealed, and the aerodynamic concept of the Peugeot has stayed largely the same.
The 9X8 now features two rear winglets, and extended front splitter and rearranged headlights but otherwise remains relatively similar externally.
“With this regulation you are not limited by some shape of the car you have,” said VP of Stellantis motor sport Jean-Marc Finot. “As long as you’re in the window drag / downforce coefficient stipulated, you have more freedom of design, which is why we have done this.”
The car will have a hybrid twin-turbo, 2.6-litre V6 power unit – a 671bhp petrol engine will turn the rear wheels, with a 268bhp electric motor powering the front.
Reserve driver James Rossiter joins the already-announced race line-up
Peugeot
“What’s really important is that the 9X8 and Peugeot Sport really encompasses the three values of Peugeot,” said Peugeot CEO Linda Jackson. “A fantastic, nonconventional, really bold design; emotion – there is nothing more exciting than racing and excellence. What better way to show the excellence quality of our engineering than being able to get through 24 hours endurance in extreme conditions? It all aligns perfectly.”
It appears Rossiter will get his chance at Monza to demonstrate whether he’s worthy of a full-time seat. Peugeot did not confirm whether he would be present in the line-up going forward from that race.