Peugeot states the 9X8's name to be a combination of multiple elements: the 9 symbolizes the brand's high-performance models, the X represents all-wheel drive and electric drive technologies, and the 8 corresponds to the brand's contemporary models.[7]
Development
On 13 November 2019, Peugeot announced their return to the FIA World Endurance Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the 2022 season in the newly announced Le Mans Hypercar category.[8] Their debut was subsequently delayed, with Peugeot stating that the homologation process for the Le Mans Hypercar category went against any chance of earlier participation in the season.[9] The car eventually made its debut at the 2022 6 Hours of Monza.[6]
Succeeding the 905, 908 HDi FAP, and 908, the 9X8 was designed to take full advantage of the freedoms allowed by the new regulations for the Hypercar category. The first area to benefit from the new regulations is aerodynamics; the vehicle is allowed to have only one adjustable aerodynamic element without the FIA specifying what it should be, thus allowing Peugeot to do without the rear wing.[10][11] The 9X8 is powered by a 500kW (670hp)twin-turbo 2.6-litre V6 engine mated to a 7-speed sequential gearbox driving the rear wheels, while a 200kW (270hp) electric motor drives the front wheels.[7]
The 9X8 saw its first full season in the 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship. Rossiter would not return to the lineup and Nico Müller would instead share the driving duties for the full year in the #94. The wingless concept proved most effective at the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans and 2023 6 Hours of Monza. Despite qualifying towards the back in the former, Peugeot would take the lead in the evening hours of the race before suffering heavy damage requiring repairs. At Monza, the 9X8 would score its first podium in the FIA World Endurance Championship by finishing 3rd.
Peugeot returned to contest another full season in the FIA World Endurance Championship. Both lineups would be shuffled, and Stoffel Vandoorne would replace an outgoing Gustavo Menezes for the season.[15] At Qatar, the 9X8 would see arguably its most competitive race, as the #93 car would contest for the race win against the Porsche 963s of Porsche Penske Motorsport before eventually retiring and later being disqualified for running out of fuel on the final lap and failing to join parc fermé at the end of the race.[16]
On 25 March 2024, Peugeot presented an updated version of the 9X8 with an added rear wing; the previous version of the 9X8 proved mostly uncompetitive due to its dependency on ground effect, especially harmed by uneven road surfaces like at Sebring (where WEC did not race in 2024). Peugeot also abandoned equal tyre widths, switching from 31cm tyres all around to 29cm tyres at the front and 34cm at the rear like all its competitors.[17] The new concept made its first competitive appearance at the 2024 6 Hours of Imola. It scored its first podium at the 2024 8 Hours of Bahrain.
Ahead of the 2025 season, Malthe Jakobsen was confirmed to be joining the team following Nico Müller's departure.[18] After a difficult first half of the season, Peugeot recovered with a double points finish in São Paulo, later achieving their best pair of results with the 9X8 in the following race at the 2025 Lone Star Le Mans, finishing 3rd and 4th on route to the 9X8's third overall podium.[19]
Complete World Endurance Championship results
(key) Races in bold indicates pole position. Races in italics indicates fastest lap.
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