Peugeot’s new special for Le Mans will use a hybrid drive with a total output of 500 kW. It is already shown in the first drawings.
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Peugeot has been active in the racing field for a long time, but over the years it has gradually changed the disciplines in which it participates. In the past, we saw the French brand with a lion in the logo at the rally special stages, at the Dakar Endurance Rally or maybe at the Pikes Peak race. She is now returning to Le Mans, where she last participated with a diesel special Peugeot 908. This time, he deploys a hybrid car in the famous 24-hour race.
The French carmaker confirmed its return to Le Mans last autumn and now, during this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, this weekend has revealed details. He will return to the famous endurance race in 2020, right in the royal discipline. The newly designed special will be created according to the new rules of the Hypercar category.
“We are returning to endurance racing, because we have the opportunity to approach this sport differently, using hybridization, ie a combination of gasoline and electric propulsion. Peugeot Sport is changing its identity and launching a range of high-performance electrified Peugeot Sport Engineered cars, namely the first 508 model with 360 hp, all-wheel drive and 46 g CO2. This endurance program allows us to fully enter the transition to new energy sources, “ Peugeot Director Jean-Philippe Imparato comments on this step.
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Several criteria were decisive for the choice of the LMH category, one of which was a certain aerodynamic freedom. Thanks to it, it was possible to maintain and use the aesthetic principles of the brand with the help of the Peugeot Design studio. This is clear from the first published sketches showing the first design proposals, the diode “claws” are a clear reference to the same design element of production cars.
“The new Le Mans Hypercar category offers a unique historical opportunity for collaboration between sports and design teams. The appearance of the vehicles will no longer be the result of a purely technical optimization in the wind tunnel, but we will have the space to create a unique iconic object combining performance and expressiveness. We intend to make the most of the freedom offered, so the whole project is very exciting for us, “ adds Peugeot chief designer Matthias Hossann.
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The French brand has already indicated the basic technique of the upcoming special. It will have all-wheel drive and will be equipped – as required by regulations – with an electric motor with a maximum output of 200 kW on the front axle. The total power will be 500 kW (approx. 680 hp). Compared to what we currently know in the LMP1, the car will be closer to road vehicles, weigh more, and be longer (500 cm vs. 465 cm) and wider (200 cm vs. 190 cm).
The project is currently in the phase of preparing a study and concept. The engine architecture and the finished part of the aerodynamic concept have already been defined. At the same time, Peugeot wants to make the most of the freedom of the rules in this regard. However, the electrical concept and the concept of hybrid drive, however, have yet to be addressed. By the way, Total is helping with the development. It is not only a supplier of fuels, but also already operates in the field of batteries, in an effort to be a multi-energy company.
He last started at Le Mans Peugeot in 2011. In 2009, the French team even won the 24 Hours of Le Mans, with the diesel special 908 HDi FAP. By the way, it was already a return, in the 1990s, the Peugeot 905 raced on the famous la Sarthe track.
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