When you look at the list of all automobile manufacturers today, you are faced with brands that you have not even heard of yet. But things get much more difficult when it comes to designing a race car. It is very difficult to distinguish race cars from each other because aerodynamic details and performance are always at the forefront of the design identity.
The changes made by the designers were limited to small details and body color, but this year PEUGEOT seems to draw attention with the new 9X8 model.
The Peugeout team defines the new race car as follows: In addition to the cat-like aesthetic stance, the flowing lines reinforced with sporty details, the stylish and reinforced side facade, of course, the characteristic three-clawed bright light signature of the ‘Lion’ complements the strong design.
How was the Peugeot 9X8 Hybrid Hypercar developed?
For the PEUGEOT 9X8 Hybrid Hypercar, engineers and designers worked together to achieve a convergence between design and technology to create a racing car. PEUGEOT Design Director Matthias Hossann started his evaluation by emphasizing that they exhibited an exemplary unity;
“We were in contact with the PEUGEOT Sport team and worked hand in hand with them. To determine the theme of the race car of the future, we first launched a competition among designers. The interest in the project was huge and we received a large number of applications, in the hope of seeing it one day compete against the most prestigious brands in the world on the most legendary tracks. After the theme was determined with the help of PEUGEOT Sport engineers, we started working together.
Without sacrificing performance and in line with the new regulations, the engineers gave designers as much room for creative freedom as possible. The PEUGEOT 9X8 was developed in accordance with the DNA of the new Hypercar regulations (LMH) set by the l’Ouestve Automobile Club, organizer of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and the International Automobile Federation. “This car will be a turning point in endurance racing.”
3D tools and Computer Aided Design (CAD)
Stating that the PEUGEOT design team uses the most advanced technology, Matthias Hossann said, “The designers used 3D tools and CAD (Computer Aided Design) to create 3D volumes in the virtual reality visualization stages.
Thanks to this technology, it is much easier to share files with engineering teams. We reached the pinnacle when we showed the engineering team a finished PEUGEOT 9X8 with a VR headset. Technical Manager Olivier Jansonnie circled the car for a while with the hood. “His excitement was very important,” he said.
Ambitious, creative, wingless model
The most striking aspect of this concept, and what makes it unique, is the absence of a rear wing. The rear wing first appeared at the Le Mans endurance race in 1967 and has since become the permanent standard. Since 1971, that is, for half a century, no car without a rear wing has won this legendary race.
The wingless design demonstrates the assertiveness and creativity of PEUGEOT designers and engineers. A lot of effort went into the rear end when designing the PEUGEOT 9X8. Following the more streamlined original outline, a slightly pointed tail emerged with the very special coating we see on the rear wheel today.
The power of “Lion” is also reflected in the design
PEUGEOT’s presence in motorsport stands out above all as a great laboratory of ideas for testing innovations. Motorsport offers new areas that push those involved in the process to be more original and creative. An ambassador for PEUGEOT design and an inspiration for future products, the Hybrid Hypercar 9X8 is driving the trend of cars in the range, including the new PEUGEOT 308. The new Lion Head logo, introduced in early 2021 before being used on the PEUGEOT 308, was also used for the first time on the Peugeot 9X8.
A real milestone
Observers and experts agreed that the PEUGEOT 9X8 radically diverged from previous generation racing cars and ushered in a new era. When future drivers first saw it, “9X8 is a real milestone in motorsport. It will be the before and after of the PEUGEOT 9X8 and we are lucky to be a part of it.”
“We wrote three words on the walls of the design studio where the PEUGEOT 9X8 was born; iconic, fruitful, emotional”, Matthias Hossann continued: “Every individual has embraced these concepts regardless of their participation in the developmental stages. I had everyone memorize the word iconic because I wanted a car that was both recognizable and groundbreaking, marking a radical generational change.
Many quality suggestions came from our interior design competition. But one was immediately accepted as a theme. It broke the codes of previous generation endurance racing cars. The idea was that it should have been a PEUGEOT rather than a racing car. As an object that brings motorsport enthusiasts together, it would theoretically be a sports car that could be driven both on the road and on the racetrack. ”
Lines that will make the difference at night
Matthias Hossann: “Our PEUGEOT design team consists of 24 Hours of Le Mans fans. Being there as spectators, they know the difficulty of distinguishing cars at the trackside at night. Some cars are recognizable by the sound of the engine, but at many points the appearance of the cars is limited to bright lines that blend into the night. We used illuminated components to make the PEUGEOT 9X8 stand out from the rest and be easily recognized day or night.
Of course, as with our production cars, the three-claw light signature was the right choice. We didn’t have too much trouble getting the light signature on the front of our 9X8 Hypercar, but getting it in the rear was a lot of work. We integrated the three claws into separate composite components that create cavities through which air is drawn. We can’t wait to see its effect on the track. ”
hybrid technology
PEUGEOT; With the 905 with the V10 petrol engine in 1992 and 1993 and the 908 with the V12 HDi-FAP engine in 2009, it has so far won Le Mans with two cars from two different generations. PEUGEOT 9X8 marks the beginning of a new era with its technology.
With its all-wheel drive hybrid powertrain, the PEUGEOT 9X8 is similar to models in the PEUGEOT range, such as the PEUGEOT SUV 3008 or the PEUGEOT 508. hybrid system; It combines a 2.6 V6 twin-turbocharged 680 HP (500 kW) internal combustion engine at the rear and a 200 kW (270 HP) electromotor/generator at the front.
Evaluating the technology used, Olivier Jansonnie, technical director of the project, said: “The endurance races are based on rules that allow us to showcase PEUGEOT’s all-electric powertrain expertise. With the 9X8, PEUGEOT opens a new chapter in hybrid sports cars. The system becomes more electrified and more efficient without sacrificing performance.”
Matthias Hossann said, “We wanted to highlight this technological and cultural shift with a new color theme we call Kryptonite. Shortly before the Hybrid Hypercar 9X8, we introduced our new series production 508 PSE (PEUGEOT Sport Engineering) model, which is also a hybrid. It shares many technological features with the PEUGEOT 9X8 apart from its color. Both mark the PEUGEOT brand’s electric high-performance era. ”
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