A new set of technical rules for the FIA World Endurance Championship, starting from 2021, has resulted in the return of key automakers to Le Mans after years of absence — Peugeot among them. The French marque has teamed up with Total Oils to develop its entry for the Le Mans Hypercar class in 2022, and recently revealed details of the vehicle’s powertrain.
Dubbed Peugeot Hybrid4 500KW, the hybrid powertrain features a mid-rear, 2.6-litre twin-turbo V6 that generates 500 kW (680 hp), combined with a front-mounted 200 kW electric motor. The petrol engine, weighing 165 kg, is positioned right behind the driver and drives the rear wheels as the motor-generator unit feeds the front axle. The four-wheel-drive layout will be paired with a sequential seven-speed gearbox, while the key to the powertrain’s high performance is said to be the vast array of sensors monitoring and adjusting different energy systems onboard.
While previous FIA requirements required a production run of 25 examples for each Le Mans Hypercar class entry car, it appears that some sort of powertrain linkage between the race prototype and a road car will now be sufficient. In the case of Peugeot, the 360 hp hybrid setup on Peugeot 508 Sport Engineered seems to have provided that link.
The development of the Peugeot Le Mans Hypercar will continue into the first half of 2021, while a track-testing programme will begin at the end of 2021.
