Peugeot 90X's Track Debut at Monza

French automobile manufacturer Peugeot has been designing and building the sports prototype racing car that will be the 908 HDi FAP's successor in the 2011 racing season. Kept well hidden in Peugeot Sport's factory in Velizy, near Paris, the new LMP1-class contender, nicknamed "90x", has made it's track debut at Monza where three-day tests evaluated the changes required by the 2011 Le Mans rules.

"Our intention was to take it out onto a track before the end of the year," says Peugeot Sport Director Olivier Quesnel. "I am pleased to report that we have now done that. Even so, there is still a long way to go and a considerable amount of work to be done as we prepare for 2011."

Like the 908 HDi FAP, the 90x has a closed cockpit. The body is a carbon fibre monocoque to offer better rigidity and lower weight. Weight, centre of gravity, and operational drawbacks were able to be overcome by better chassis rigidity and aerodynamics with using a closed cockpit design instead of a conventional open structure.

Additional innovations include an airbox on the car's roof and the shark fin above the engine cover, preventing the car from becoming aerial in case of a high-speed accident. This feature will be mandatory under 2011 regulations.

The power unit in the 90X is expected to be a hybrid, but Peugeot hasn't come to a final decision on the engine type.

"We are still exploring several options with regard to the engine and technology we will use," points out Bruno Famin, the Technical Director of Peugeot Sport.

"Work on the engine's development is ongoing. Endurance racing is a proving ground that provides us with an opportunity to showcase all the brand's technologies," he added.