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Peugeot preparing Le Mans return

The French brand has been lured back by the FIA's incoming hypercar regulations.


Darcy Foster • Peugeot has confirmed it intends to go racing at Le Mans in 2020, joining Aston Martin, Toyota and Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus in the World Endurance Championship’s new top-tier category.

As per FIA regulations, Peugeot must homologate its incoming prototype racer by producing twenty road-legal cars over two years, which means a hypercar from performance arm Peugeot Sport is surely on the way.

There's no word on what might power the French make’s newest contender, but WEC regulations stipulate a hybrid-powertrain must be used. Beyond that, engine choices are largely up to the manufacturer.

While all entrants in the new hypercar class will require electrical assistance, engine choices are already markedly distinct between manufacturers

The Aston Martin Valkyrie (below) features a 6.5-litre, naturally-aspirated V12, while the Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus SCG 007 will reportedly use a 3.0-litre, twin-turbo V6.

After losing Aston Martin in 2010, and Porsche and Audi pulling out on the back of Dieselgate, the FIA announced the end of LMP1 class in June this year – in its place committing to a new, as-yet unnamed hypercar category.

The new rules and regulations have been established to attract more manufacturers to the WEC, and allow teams greater technical freedom.

Aston Martin has since rejoined, committing its Valkyrie hypercar to the championship, while new entrant Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus will field its SGC 007 chassis.

Toyota is staying on after winning Le Mans and the 2018-19 WEC Championship; its car potentially underpinned by the 2018 GR Super Sports concept. It's expected to stick with the 2.4-litre hybrid powertrain used in its current LMP1 prototype.

Both McLaren and Mercedes-Benz have expressed interest in the series, potentially homologating the Senna and Project One for competition respectively.

Peugeot has enjoyed previous success at Le Mans, winning in 1992 with the V10-powered 905, and in 2009 with the twin-turbo V12, 908 HDi FAP.

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