Peugeot announced its return to top-flight endurance racing on 13 November 2019, targeting the 2022 season. The 9X8 was designed to succeed the 905, 908 HDi FAP, and 908 models by utilizing the technical freedoms provided by the Le Mans Hypercar regulations. The name is a composite of three identifiers: the "9" denotes high-performance models, the "X" signifies all-wheel and electric drive technologies, and the "8" aligns the vehicle with Peugeot's contemporary production lineup.
The car's development focused on maximizing aerodynamic efficiency under rules that allow for only one adjustable aerodynamic element. This regulatory flexibility led Peugeot to design the initial version of the 9X8 without a traditional rear wing. The debut of the car was delayed during the 2022 season as Peugeot stated that the LMH homologation process prevented an earlier entry.
The 9X8 features a hybrid powertrain consisting of a 500 kW (670 hp) twin-turbo 2.6-litre V6 internal combustion engine and a 200 kW (270 hp) electric motor. The V6 engine is mated to a 7-speed sequential gearbox driving the rear wheels, while the electric motor provides power to the front wheels.
The original design was characterized by its wingless silhouette and a reliance on ground effect for downforce. This version utilized equal tyre widths of 31 cm at both the front and rear. Following performance challenges on uneven surfaces, Peugeot introduced a significant update on 25 March 2024. This revision added a rear wing and transitioned to a staggered tyre setup, featuring 29 cm tyres at the front and 34 cm at the rear to match the configuration used by competitors.
Peugeot entered the WEC with two cars, numbered 93 and 94 in homage to the brand's 1993 victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The initial driver roster included Paul Di Resta, Loïc Duval, Mikkel Jensen, Gustavo Menezes, James Rossiter, and Jean-Éric Vergne.
In its partial 2022 debut season, the 9X8 competed at Monza, Fuji, and Bahrain. For the 2023 season, Nico Müller replaced Rossiter. The wingless concept showed its highest effectiveness at the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans, where Peugeot led during the evening hours before sustaining heavy damage, and at the 2023 6 Hours of Monza, where the car secured its first podium with a 3rd-place finish.
The 2024 season saw Stoffel Vandoorne join the lineup in place of Menezes. At the season opener in Qatar, the #93 car challenged for the win against the Porsche 963 field before running out of fuel on the final lap; it was subsequently disqualified for failing to join parc fermé. The updated winged version of the 9X8 debuted at the 2024 6 Hours of Imola and later achieved a podium finish at the 8 Hours of Bahrain.
In the 2025 season, Malthe Jakobsen joined the team following Müller's departure. After a difficult start to the year, the 9X8 achieved a double points finish in São Paulo and its best collective result at the 2025 Lone Star Le Mans, finishing 3rd and 4th.
The 9X8 was developed specifically to exploit the Le Mans Hypercar category's freedom regarding aerodynamic components. The car's homologation process was cited by Peugeot as the primary reason for its delayed entry into the 2022 championship, as the fixed nature of LMH homologation required the design to be finalized before its competitive debut.
The 9X8's development program included an extensive on-track testing phase beginning in December 2021, covering over 10,000 kilometres across circuits such as Algarve, Paul Ricard, MotorLand Aragón, Barcelona-Catalunya, and Magny-Cours. The car's unique design was further recognized through the release of a 1,775-piece Lego Technic 1:10 scale model on May 1, 2023.
Gallery · 2 related images
