This Monday, March 25, Peugeot TotalEnergies has lifted the veil off their brand-new 2024 9X8 Hypercar. After entering the FIA WEC’s premier class in 2022, the French constructor decided last year to introduce radical aerodynamic upgrades for the upcoming 2024 season. The latest version of the Lion-emblazoned Hypercar now features a rear wing and different tyre widths. “The idea was therefore to go back to a car design that is similar to our rival’s car design”, details Olivier Jansonnie, Peugeot Sport Technical Director. “Strictly speaking, it’s not a new car, as it has the same chassis.”
Before the FIA WEC’s season launch, Peugeot TotalEnergies kept on operating their two 9X8 – entrusted to Nico Müller, Jean-Eric Vergne and Mikkel Jensen for the #93 and to Paul Di Resta, Loïc Duval et Stoffel Vandoorne in the #94 – while developing a new challenger. “We were able to rely on the unwavering commitment of Team Peugeot TotalEnergies and we’re now really looking forward to showing off the result of their hard work”, adds Jansonnie. “The target is clearly to get back among the frontrunners, fight regularly for podiums and even challenge for race wins.”
Peugeot Sport Technical Director teases that there’s more to the 2024 9X8 than meets the eye with the upgrades not confined to its aerodynamic balance. “We decided to use this new homologation to add some reliability and performance upgrades to give us the best opportunities in the championship.” According to Jean-Marc Finot, Stellantis Motorsport Senior VP, simulations and initial track testing sessions have shown that the car has more performance.
The 2024 9X8 also boasts a striking new livery recognizing Peugeot TotalEnergies’ team spirit and embodied by the brand’s feline emblem. “We came up with a design that deploys the ‘lion head’ in different scales”, outlines Matthias Hossann, Peugeot Brand Design Director. “This graphic design, symbolising a ‘pack of lions’, conveys the sense of collective that reflects the values of Endurance racing perfectly.”
After making its final appearance at the Qatar Airways Qatar 1812km, the opening round of the 2024 FIA WEC in which Peugeot TotalEnergies challenged for the win, the 2023 version of the 9X8 is now set to make way for the 2024 version at the 6 Hours of Imola, round two of the season, on April 21.
