2022 Peugeot Le Mans hypercar gets a HYBRID4 500 KW powertrain

KUALA LUMPUR: Peugeot pulled out its name from Le Mans endurance racing after the 2011 season due to financial difficulties. But fast forward to today, the French automaker buckles up to be back in the country’s best-known motorsport event. 

Three months back, Peugeot Sport formally showcased the design of its upcoming Le Mans Hypercar to compete in the 2022 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and now we have received the details on its mechanical configuration.

Partners for the past 25 years, Peugeot Sport and Total released the Peugeot HYBRID4 500 KW powertrain placed at the heart of the hypercar, developed together in compliance with the new FIA WEC regulations. For this, the two companies pooled the expertise and experience in the fields of hybridization and world-class motor racing.

The main features of the Peugeot HYBRID4 500KW powertrain are:

• Hybrid technology with a mid-rear, 2.6-litre twin-turbo, V6, petrol internal combustion engine coupled with a front-mounted motor generator unit.
• The combustion engine delivers a whopping power of 670.5 hp (500 kW) to the rear wheels. 
• The electric motor drives the front axle producing around 268 hp (200 kW) and drawing energy from a 900-volt battery that is positioned in the centre of the vehicle for optimum weight distribution.
• Also part of the pack is a 7-speed sequential transmission with paddle shifters placed on the steering wheel.

In compliance with LMH regulations, the hypercar will run on V6 power alone until it achieves the mark of 120 kmph. Above this speed, the twin-turbo unit is electronically limited to produce 402 hp (300 kW). Which is adjusted according to the power generated by the electric motor as per the battery levels. 

Peugeot will start the bench testing of the powertrain in the first half of 2021 ahead of the Le Mans Hypercar testing at the end of the year. Although we still have no information on the automaker’s plan of joining the WEC throughout the 2022 season.

Also read: 2021 Peugeot 508 Sport Engineered unveiled, Malaysian arrival not yet confirmed