Peugeot: Back to Le Mans with hypercar
HYBRID WITH ALL-WHEEL DRIVE During the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Peugeot and Total unveiled the project for a race car for the new Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) category. The hybrid hypercar with all-wheel drive will compete in 2022. In the 6-minute film, those responsible speak in French (with English subtitles) about the ambitious project and the [...]
In the 6-minute film, those responsible speak in French (with English subtitles) about the ambitious project and the motivation behind it.
The LMH category marks the beginning of a new era for the premier class of endurance racing. This shift towards electric drives is also supported by Peugeot and its long-standing partner Total.
Aerodynamic freedoms
Peugeot's choice to compete in the LMH category was made for several reasons. One of them is aerodynamic freedom. It allows Peugeot's design teams to incorporate aesthetic details of the brand, such as the typical light signature in the form of three claws.
At this year's Le Mans race, Peugeot already unveiled the first design concepts, showing the basic features and mass of the new vehicle.
In Neo Performance Design
The design of the new race car will be in the spirit of "Neo Performance". The power of the hypercar with all-wheel drive will reach 680 hp (500 kW), including 200 kW on the front axle. After several studies on the general structure, aerodynamic concept and choice of engine architecture, the final decision will be made for the electric frame.
This will be followed by the integration of the hybrid drive. All Peugeot Sport technical departments are involved in the development phases.
Peugeot 508 PSE as a harbinger of the new label
Peugeot Sport is thus continuing to develop in the direction of renewable energies. This has already been embarked upon with the high-performance plug-in hybrids under the Peugeot Sport Engineered label. The first model under this label will be the new Peugeot 508 PSE (sales start 2021) with 360 hp and all-wheel drive.
Jean Philippe Imparato, CEO Peugeot: "In the Le Mans Hypercars category, our entire company can be united, all our features and technologies, based on our production models. Through this commitment, Peugeot opens the new register Neo Performance. We are returning to endurance racing because it gives us the opportunity to do the sport in a different way, hybridizing gas and electricity."
