Ahead of Peugeot’s return to Le Mans in 2022, we reminisce the French manufacturer’s last racecar; the 908 Hybrid4.

Peugeot is preparing to return to Le Mans with a hybrid prototype in 2022, ten years after it last developed such a car. The French manufacturer opened its doors to Racecar Engineering to show off the 908 Hybrid4 that would never race. The similarities between the rules then and now are stark: a low-power hybrid system; the non-deployment of hybrid power under 120km/h for four wheel drive cars; and a need to reduce the cost of hybrid power in racing. The regulations have come full circle.
Peugeout pull out
January 18, 2012 was a red-letter day in sports car racing as Peugeot took the decision to cancel its sports car programme with immediate effect. It brought an abrupt end to competition between the French manufacturer and Audi that began in 2007, and pushed the development of diesel technology and was about to do the same for hybrid technology on track. The decision to stop came as a shock to everyone, particularly as the majority of development work was already completed for Peugeot?s latest Le Mans challenger. The 908 Hybrid4 had undergone extensive development work, particularly to the hybrid system that was integrated into the chassis, beneath the fuel tank and just behind the driver. The team was confident that it could deliver 500kJ of energy six times around a lap of Le Mans over the full 24-hour distance.
The Peug...