LMH or LMDh for Peugeot?

Peugeot remains fully committed to its future Endurance project, without however confirming which platform will be used.

Published on 27/05/2020 à 13:00

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Since the officialization of his return to the premier category ofEndurance last November, the lion firm was working on a project Le Mans Hypercar, while recognizing that she does not rule out changing her mind. What about now that the guidelines of the regulation are known?

“We are satisfied with the announcement, in particular that the technical points linked to the BOP are confirmed, which will ensure sporting fairness (between LMH and LMDh. Editor’s note), said the director of PSA Motorsport, Jean-Marc Finot.

The convergence of the regulations on common mass, power and aerodynamic parameters was necessary. It will be necessary to ensure that the use of two reference wind tunnels does not create distortion in the performance balance.

We know that it is always a very difficult exercise to calibrate these installations. The latest economic elements should soon be available to carry out a complete assessment.

Peugeot will reveal its choice in due course. During this period of confinement, the Endurance project has moved in the right direction. The goal is still to be present in 2022.”

If the person concerned insists on the fact “that costs will have to be very significantly reduced” and “priority must be given to attractiveness and spectacle more than to the unreasonable technological developments that we have experienced”, the French manufacturer could however continue on the path of LMH and not branch off towards LMDh, although it is supposed to be less expensive.

One of the reasons that could encourage it to do this is that its main partner in this adventure, the energy company Total, is the owner of the company Saft Groupe, a specialist in high-tech batteries.

However, an LMDh must be provided with a common hybrid system, probably signed McLaren (Bosch is also in the running). On the other hand, it would not be surprising if Peugeot uses the chassis of the future LM P2 Ligier, in charge of the aerodynamics of the future lioness, which would be so much more profitable than designing its own monocoque.