Peugeot Confirms LMH Car for 2022 Debut

Image: Peuegot

Peugeot has confirmed that it will build a car to the Le Mans Hypercar regulations for its anticipated debut in the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2022.

The French manufacturer formally announced its platform decision Friday at Le Mans, ahead of this weekend’s 88th running of the endurance classic.

While having evaluated both LMH and the new joint ACO-IMSA LMDh platform, Peugeot will join Toyota in developing a bespoke prototype to the new-for-2021 regulations.

The choice was made due to additional aerodynamic freedoms and the possibility of better integrating the Peugeot design and aesthetic codes, according a statement from the manufacturer.

Initial design work has already begun with a series of sketches having released to reveal the “first impressions” of the car.

The yet-to-be-named LMH car will feature a four-wheel layout and electric motor with a maximum output of 200 kW.

Development of the powertrain will be in cooperation with partner Total.

“Today, we have validated part of the aerodynamic concept, the engine architecture is defined,” said Peugeot Sport WEC technical director Olivier Jansonnie.

“The operation of the hybrid system and its main architecture were also chosen.

“So there are still a lot of stages left until our arrival in endurance racing in 2022, in the study, the production of prototypes and finally the validation on the bench and on the track.”

No word has been given if the program will contest the entire 2022 WEC season, as potentially suggested in recent months, or only take part in selected races in its debut year.

Peugeot had initially committed to the 2022-23 WEC season prior to the championship reverting to a calendar year format.

“This category allows us to unite our entire company and all our entities, with features and technologies similar to our production cars,” said Peugeot brand director Jean-Philippe Imparato.

“Through this commitment, Peugeot is opening a new register which is that of neo-performance.

“We are returning to endurance racing because we have the opportunity to work on sport in another form with gasoline/electric hybridization.

“This endurance program allows us to enter fully into the energy transition.”

Image: Peuegot

Image: Peuegot

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John