It is time for the 2024 Peugeot 9X8 to hit the LMU grid. It is dubbed the French Evolution, due to it being an evolution of the 2023 car. 90% of what you knew from the previous version has been revamped with the all-new aerodynamic look of this machine.
Just How Different Is It
“Some people might say, ‘Just add a rear wing’ – but if we want to continue to make these cars as accurate as possible, there was a lot of change needed, so from our point of view it is a brand-new car” Said Studio 397s Senior Vehicle Artist Paulo Matias.
“The whole body from the door line down are totally different cars. The air ducts on the body of the wingless car are larger to allow air to flow through the floor for ground effect. Not to mention the obvious new wing, the rear is totally new with wing supports and plates at the end of the car and further down the body line as well as a smaller diffuser. If we compare the cars in the same 3D space the difference is clear – the livery on the car can obscure all the hidden details on the body which the players might not see.”
Introducing The Peugeot 9X8 2024
| Car | Ruleset | Engine | Hybrid? | Exclusive to LMU? |
| Peugeot 9X8 | LMH | 2.6-litre twin turbo V6 | Yes | Yes |
On 25th March 2024, Peugeot revealed the 9X8 2024 Hypercar, a fully reworked and improved Le Mans Hypercar based on the experience gained in the first two seasons of competition, with the introduction of new aerodynamics and a rear spoiler, because the previous version of 9X8 proved uncompetitive due to its dependency on ground effects which it couldn’t capitalise on due to the race tracks bumpy surfaces.
Peugeot also abandoned equal tyre widths, using 29cm tyres at the front and 34cm at the rear like all its competitors, instead of 31 cm tyres on both axles in the first models. The 9X8 is equipped with a 680 hp twin-turbo 2.6L V6 internal combustion engine mated to a 272 hp (200 kW) electric motor, all assembled in a 7-speed sequential gearbox.
Peugeot Total Energies Racing
Peugeot has a strong past relationship with Le Mans, with the French automotive manufacturer lifting the trophy on the podium’s top step in two previous generations.
With the return of Peugeot to Le Mans and the World Endurance Championship in 2022, they announced the Peugeot Total Energies race team making their debut at Monza with two cars – the #93 and #94 – which are the teams confirmed race numbers in WEC.
Throughout the 2022 and 2023 seasons, the team picked up just one podium finish, at Monza in 2023, a year after their debut, piloted by Paul di Resta, Mikkel Jensen and Jean-Éric Vergne. Now equipped with the evolution of the 9X8, both teams hope to make their way to the front of the Hypercar grid again.
Will You Take Your Place On The Grid?
Those eager to take to the track in the Peugeot 9X8 Hypercar will be able to get it through the first of four DLC Packs. Priced at just £9.99 / €11.99 / $12.99 the Peugeot forms one-third of the pack, together with the Lamborghini SC63 and Imola Circuit.
Those not yet on the grid can take advantage of the introductory Early Access game price for Le Mans Ultimate of £24.99/ €29.99 / $32.99 right here https://bit.ly/LeMansUltimateOnSteam. The base game features all of the Hypercars and circuits from the 2023 Centenary season as well as the classic LMP2 and GTE cars and the free 2024 BMW M Hybrid V8 Hypercar.
