IT'S ALL ABOUT THE WING OR RATHER THE distinct lack of one. The Peugeot 9X8 made its debut in the World Endurance Championship in 2022, entering a small handful of rounds to complete its development programme ahead of a full assault on WEC and Le Mans glory this year. And while the car didn't trouble any podiums, its striking appearance attracted more attention than its rivals might care to admit.
And that has added importance as we enter what could well be a new golden era of endurance racing. One that kicks off - somewhat fittingly - as Le Mans marks its centenary year. There'll be more than a dozen competitors in WEC's new Hypercar class, with five major manufacturers behind the bulk of them, not least Ferrari and Porsche. Fast forward to 2024 and BMW, Lamborghini and perhaps even Honda will be in the mix, too. Ultimately only one can win and there'll be battered and bruised egos littering La Sarthe's pitlane come Sunday June 11. If history teaches us anything, though, it's that some of the most iconic race cars don't actually win. Standing out in a grid that's full to bursting with legendary names feels like half a victory already.
'We as engineers were a little surprised by the amount of interest!' admits Olivier Jansonnie, Peugeot Sport's technical director, when I bring up the wingless appearance of his team's new car. 'I think most of the talk we've had on this car regards the lack of wing, but quite frankly there's a few things on the car more innovative than this...'
Undeterred, I ask how it came about. 'We were exceeding the targets in the wind tunnel. So during one of the first tests we came up with the idea of removing the rear wing altogether. By the end of 2021 we had two prototypes running in parallel - one much closer to an LMP1 design, and this one.
Denne historien er fra April 2023-utgaven av Evo UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra April 2023-utgaven av Evo UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Cupra Formentor Abt
It's farewell to the original Cupra Formentor with an Abt-tuned run-out package. It's a quietly excellent car; just a shame about the price...
Renault Sport Clio 200 Turbo
This misguided departure from the French brand's hot hatch heritage saw the Clio fall from grace
REBIRTH OF AN ICON
The Kalmar 9X9 is a modernday reinterpretation of Porsche's game-changing 959 supercar, with a carbon body and up to 917bhp. And evo is helping to develop it
Volkswagen Golf GTI
The underachieving Mk8 GTI gets a shot at redemption with the new, revised Mk8.5 version. Is it the leap forward it needs to be?
BEST BUYS
FAST FORDS FROM THE CORTINA TO THE ESCORT AND THE FIESTA, Ford is responsible for some of the most popular cars in British history. But alongside these everyday machines it has also produced a stream of desirable driver's cars.
HY AND DRY
The switch to electric power means an early exit for Hyundai N's brilliant ICE hot hatch duo. We go for a farewell drive in the 120 N
SEXY BEAST
The Vanquish name is back for Aston Martin's latest seriesproduction flagship, with a stunning new look and simply brutal performance from an 824bhp twin-turbo V12
THE JOY OF DRIVING
From mastering the everyday commute to unlocking the full potential of your performance car, our new series will help you become safer, more confident and ultimately more skilled behind the wheel
TINY DANCER
You haven't seen a Mini dance like this before, but then you haven't seen a Mini with a 4-litre M Power V8 under the bonnet and rear-wheel drive. Introducing Vini...
LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO
Grandaddy to the Temerario and the car that transformed Lamborghini was the brilliant, V10-engined Gallardo. We get reacquainted with a Lambo legend
