Unveiling the 2024 PEUGEOT 9X8

Changes to the regulations have meant that teams can now deploy a more efficient tyre set-up, which uses different widths in the front (29cm) and rear (34cm). PEUGEOT Sport have opted to keep 90% of the bodywork but have modified the aerodynamics and added a rear wing onto the PEUGEOT 9X8.   

In its early design stages, PEUGEOT Sport used specifications that met 2020/21 technical regulations. However, the regulations change in the summer of 2022 gave PEUGEOT Sport the opportunity to make improvements to the 9X8’s performance. As a result, they were able to set themselves an ambitious target to maximise the 9X8’s potential and design plans were revised. 

PEUGEOT Design and PEUGEOT Sport have come together for the third year running to create a unique uniform designed by PEUGEOT’s in-house teams, which features the iconic Lion symbol to reflect speed, flexibility and strength – features that are at the core of the 9X8’s design.  

The 2024 PEUGEOT 9X8 has already caused a stir of excitement on the racing track after spending a full season in the FIA World Endurance Championship, performing well at 24 Hours of Le Mans, achieving a maiden podium third place finish at Monza and leading for most of the opening race of the 2024 season in Losail. Consequently, this racer has undergone further significant upgrades in order to stamp its mark on the race and it’s set to be very competitive in the Hypercar class.  

PEUGEOT’s Sport Technical Director, Oliver Jansonnie, stated: 

“We made choices that are no longer the right ones now and this difference in performance was not sufficiently offset by the BOP (Balance of Performance) in 2023. The idea was, therefore, to go back to a car design that is similar to that of our rival’s car design, so that it would then be given equivalent treatment by the BOP. This is why we decided to drop the use of identical 31/31cm tyre widths on all the wheels, choosing to fit 29cm tyres at the front and 34cm tyres at the rear. Strictly speaking, it’s not a new car, as it has the same chassis, but there are a lot of upgrades. 

“For the tyres to work effectively, we had to alter the centre of gravity of the PEUGEOT 9X8, which meant moving certain components and working to make others lighter. In order to have a better aerodynamic balance, we also had to look at redistributing the aerodynamic loads, which resulted in us redesigning approximately 90% of the bodywork components, most notably adding the rear wing. As well as all this, we decided to use this new homologation to add some reliability and performance upgrades to give us the best opportunities in the championship.” 

In March 2023, the decision was made to introduce the major changes to the 9X8 for the upcoming 2024 season, where everyone at PEUGEOT worked extremely hard to not only redesign the car but compete in the WEC campaign.  

Jansonnie went on to add: 

“It was a project within a project, which increased the team’s workload substantially. But 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. The target is clearly to get back among the frontrunners, fight regularly for podiums and even challenge for race wins.” 

The upgrades created the opportunity to enhance the working relationship that started four years ago with PEUGEOT Sport. 

PEUGEOT Brand Design Director Matthias Hossann said: 

“After an elegant, understated design to mark PEUGEOT’s return to endurance racing in 2022, then the 2023 livery produced by the visual artist Demsky, celebrating both the Centenary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 30th anniversary of PEUGEOT’s one-two-three at Le Mans, this time we came up with a design that deploys the ‘Lion Head’ in different scales. 

“This graphic design, symbolising a ‘Pack of Lions’, conveys the sense of collective that reflects the values of endurance racing perfectly. We wanted to highlight this team spirit and the wealth of talent in the team. The design is produced in different sizes and different colours taken from the PEUGEOT Sport colour chart, including black, grey, white and kryptonite. This theme is equally deployed on the lifestyle merchandising products developed by PEUGEOT’s graphic design team.” 

The PEUGEOT 9X8’s final appearance at the Qatar 1,812km as part of the opening round of the FIA World Endurance Championship revealed its progress, and the 2023 version is now ready to take to the track for the 2024 6 Hours of Imola in round two of the FIA WEC season where, back in 2011, PEUGEOT completed a one-two finish at Imola’s Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari. 

The Brand Chief Executive Officer of PEUGEOT, Linda Jackson, said: 

“2023, the first full year of Team PEUGEOT TotalEnergies competing in the FIA World Endurance Championship, was a rewarding experience for everyone involved as the team took shape and showed its determination and passion, even though there were difficult times. 

“For 2024, the target is still the same, to win races! We know that the competition will be even tougher this year, but our team has worked very hard to develop a 2024 version of the PEUGEOT 9X8 that reflects the values of the brand perfectly. The energy and effort put in by Team PEUGEOT TotalEnergies have been invaluable. We are proud to be part of this new era in Endurance racing and we want to leave our mark on the sport.” 

Stellantis Motorsport Senior VP Jean-Marc Finot added: 

“First and foremost, I would like to congratulate and thank the entire PEUGEOT Sport team for its excellent work. It really is no small feat to have been able to redesign part of the car in record time while managing to compete in the 2023 season. The PEUGEOT 9X8 was originally designed to meet the 2020/21 regulations when the LMHs had to be fitted with equally sized tyres at the front and rear. The regulations have evolved since, enabling some of our rivals to fit larger tyres at the rear. We had thought that the BoP would be enough to offset our structural design handicap, but this has not been the case. It was therefore necessary to redesign part of the car to adapt it to the new tyre dimensions. 

“We had to shift the car’s centre of gravity, alter the distribution of the aerodynamic loads, add a rear wing, produce lighter components and so on. Our simulations and initial track testing sessions have shown that the car has more performance. We therefore hope to stay among the frontrunners without, however, getting close to the BoP limit, with minimum weight and maximum power.” 

At Arbury, we can’t wait to see the PEUGEOT 9X8 take to the track and wish PEUGEOT Sport and Team PEUGEOT TotalEnergies every success!