The unconventional Peugeot 9X8 Le Mans hypercar is set to receive a major redesign for the 2024 season which is expected to see it adopt a traditional rear wing, something that the car currently lacks.
While the current 9X8 looks cool, the French racing outfit has only been able to secure a single podium finish this year and desperately needs to start performing to rival Toyota and Ferrari. Its current aerodynamic philosophy focuses on downforce generated by the underfloor, much like current Formula 1 cars, but it is engaging with both the FIA and ACO to see how it can change this concept.
Vehicles competing in the Le Mans Hypercar class have a five-year homologation cycle and can only receive five performance-related upgrades during their lifespan. A lengthy approval process must be followed before any performance upgrades can be made to ensure that the current Balance of Performance rules are not disrupted, Daily Sports Car reports.
Read: Peugeot Might Build You A Road Legal 9X8 Le Mans Car If You Hand Over A Blank Check
Speaking in Japan last month, Peugeot Sport technical director Olivier Jansonnie confirmed the company can only make changes if they are approved by the FIA and ACO.
“We still want more transparency and cannot make upgrades without their agreement, it’s not frozen yet what we could do with them, we are still discussing it. We have had private discussions with the ACO and FIA, they know our opinion on the topic and we know theirs.”
It is understood that Peugeot, the FIA, and the ACO have reached an agreement and that the French team has been given the go-ahead to change its aerodynamic concept while retaining the same monocoque it currently uses. In addition to the new car adopting a rear wing, it will ditch the current model’s underfloor aero in favor of a more conventional flat floor.
Track testing of the 2024 Peugeot 9X8 could start in December.
