Peugeot reveals more images from Hypercar test
Team Peugeot TotalEnergies’ programme with the Peugeot 9X8 Hypercar has picked up speed as its development programme continues on both the track and the simulator.
The entry of two cars for the 2022 FIA World Endurance Championship was announced last week as the No. 93 and No. 94 Peugeot 9X8s will make their maiden race appearance during the course of the season.
Until then, following the car’s initial run in December, Team Peugeot TotalEnergies returns to the track in January as its test schedule continues.
PEUGEOT has released new pictures of the #Peugeot9X8 Hypercar testing on track. The french manufacturer is expected to make its return to endurance racing this year in FIA World Endurance Championship.
— WEC (@FIAWEC) January 18, 2022
@peugeotsport #WEC #LeMans24 pic.twitter.com/sf9cTEG693
DEVELOPMENT
April 2021: first dyno test of the bi turbo V6 engine
November 2021 first bench test of the 9X8’s 200kW motor-generator unit
December 2021: assembly and bench test of the complete powertrain in four-wheel drive mode
Late-December 2021: maiden track run
The car’s development programme will pick up further speed in 2022 as its research and sign-off work continues both on the simulator and with monthly track tests that will see the 9X8 evolve from a fledgling prototype into a competitive, reliable racing car with its own specific features... and still no rear wing.
Olivier Jansonnie, the Technical Director of Peugeot Sport’s WEC programme: “This configuration is permitted by the ACO/FIA Hypercar regulations. Our calculations and wind tunnel work have confirmed the pertinence of our decision to run without a rear wing. Along with the developments and settings this option calls for, we expect it to be validated as we test at different circuits with differing characteristics.”
Jean-Marc Finot, Stellantis Motorsport Director: “Team Peugeot TotalEnergies will not attend the first of the six rounds that make up the 2022 calendar which kicks off at Sebring in Florida [USA]… The 9X8 will make its race debut based on its level of readiness, reliability and competitiveness as agreed with the championship’s organisers who we will keep regularly updated as our development programme progresses. We could have opted for attending selected races only without committing to the season. That would have been possible but less coherent. Instead, we have chosen an approach that will enable the team to be fully immersed in the discipline, resulting in much closer collaboration with the organisers even if the 9X8 doesn’t contest every race as our development work and the homologation process continue.”
Click HERE to read the full press release from Peugeot.