Peugeot 9X8

On 13 November 2019, Peugeot announced its return to the WEC and the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans for 2022 in the new Hypercar category, this debut was subsequently delayed, with Peugeot stating "Team PEUGEOT TotalEnergies’ PEUGEOT 9X8 Hybrid Hypercar will not race at the 2022 24 Hours of Le Mans and will instead make its racing debut in the FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC) this summer".[3] Instead the car made its debut at the 6 Hours of Monza on the 6th of July.

Succeeding the 905 and 908, the 9X8 was designed to take full advantage of the freedoms allowed by the new regulations for the Hypercar category. The first area to benefit from the new regulations is aerodynamics. Indeed, the latter allows the vehicle to have only one adjustable aerodynamic element without specifying what it should be, thus allowing Peugeot to do without the rear spoiler.[4][5]

Regarding the engine, the 9X8 is equipped with a 680 hp (500 kW) twin-turbo 2.6L V6 mated to a 272 hp (200 kW) electric motor, all assembled in a 7-speed sequential gearbox.[6] Peugeot explains the name "9X8" for several reasons: the 9 symbolizes the brand's high-performance models, the X represents all-wheel drive and electric drive technologies, and the 8 corresponds to the brand's contemporary models.[6]

Peugeot 9X8 at the 2023 Rétromobile Salon

Rear view of the 9X8

Peugeot’s on-track testing programme kicked off last December and has since visited Algarve International Circuit, Circuit Paul Ricard, MotorLand Aragón, Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya and Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, with the 9X8 clocking up more than 10,000 kilometres over the course of 25 test days. Paul Di Resta, Loïc Duval, Mikkel Jensen, Gustavo Menezes, James Rossiter and Jean-Éric Vergne were nominated to share the driving duties and form the crews of the two-car entry in 2022 6 Hours of Monza, with the composition of each trio due to be confirmed at a later stage, following the conclusion of the car’s testing programme. The two PEUGEOT 9X8s are then set to contest the remainder of the 2022 FIA World Endurance Championship, including the 2022 6 Hours of Fuji and season finale, the 2022 8 Hours of Bahrain.[7]

In April 2023, a Lego Technic model of the 9X8 was announced. The car will be reproduced in 1:10 scale, and the set will consist of 1,775 pieces. It is set to be released on May 1, 2023.[8]

Results in bold indicate pole position. Results in italics indicate fastest lap. Results in (brackets) indicates finishing position in class, while position without brackets indicates overall finishing position

Year	Entrant	Class	Drivers	No.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Points	Pos
2022	Peugeot TotalEnergies	Hypercar			SEB	SPA	LMN	MON	FUJ	BHR
			Paul di Resta	93				Ret	4	Ret		42	4th
			Mikkel Jensen					Ret	4	Ret
			Jean-Éric Vergne					Ret	4	Ret
			Loïc Duval	94				33	20	4
			Gustavo Menezes					33	20	4
			James Rossiter					33	20
			Nico Müller							4
2023	Peugeot TotalEnergies	Hypercar			SEB	POR	SPA	LMN	MON	FUJ	BHR	13*	5th*
			Paul di Resta	93	31	7	13
			Mikkel Jensen		31	7	13
			Jean-Éric Vergne		31	7	13
			Loïc Duval	94	NC	5	17
			Gustavo Menezes		NC	5	17
			Nico Müller		NC	5	17