This Is Why France's Le Mans Hypercar Doesn't Have A Wing

Around the middle of last year, French automaker Peugeotrevealed a new hypercar called the 9X8. It utilizes a 2.6-liter twin-turbo V6 engine that produces 670 horsepower on its own steam, all of which goes to the rear axle through a seven-speed sequential transmission while the front wheels further bolster performance with a 268-hp electric motor. It's such an impressive package thatDodge may use the setupfor its own motorsport ambitions, although the body will likely be different. Peugeot has designed its racer to reflect a new brand identity, but that's not the only reason that Dodge may choose to go its own way. See, the 9X8 has no rear wing, and that's a very big deal forLe Mans.

As Peugeot explains, "the rear wing first appeared in endurance racing at Le Mans in 1967 and has since become the prevailing standard." Need proof? No car has won there without a rear wing in over 50 years, with the last arriving in 1971. Peugeot knew this and still chose to pursue the concept of a wingless yet competitive Le Mans entrant, which just goes to show how the French are always quirky and audacious in their automotive ambitions. That said, the automaker is not without past success at Le Mans, so it would be unwise to discount it based purely on the design of its car, which the marque has certainly spent a lot of time on, especially at the rear.