Its name is the 9X8 and the brand lifted the veil on Friday, on this car which will integrate the Hypercar category. We will not see her at the 24 Hours of Le Mans this year, but in 2023. And she will soon be competing on other circuits of the world endurance championship. Peugeot made a bold choice of a car without a rear spoiler. It’s a very streamlined car, with a very futuristic look and a three-claw light signature that should cause a stir at night. The 9X8 is a hybrid racing car, which develops 680 hp and has a French battery, Saft brand. The car has already been running for a few months and has notably done laps on the Nevers-Magny-Cours circuit.
A symbolic figure: there are 100 super chargers for the Lonity network
This is the network set up by German manufacturers, which gives access to ultra-fast charging terminals up to 350 kW. The network continues to expand, since there will be 180 in France in 2025, and 7,000 on the same date throughout Europe. But the novelty is that the pricing will be per kWh, and no longer per minute. In other words, the network will charge according to the amount of energy transmitted on board the battery. Previously, owners of certain car models were penalized because their charging capabilities were limited. And you had to pay more. With the Ionity network which is developing, but also the fast terminals which are being deployed on the motorways, electric travel over long distances will be able to be done in better conditions.
An unexpected consequence of the conflict in Ukraine
Insofar as the Russian economy is hit by sanctions, and that manufacturers do not have access to certain technologies, the Russian government has just promulgated a decree which establishes reduced standards for vehicles produced on its territory. Thus, local manufacturers will be able to produce cars without ABS sensors, airbags or seat belt pretensioners. In effect until February 1, 2023, the decree is a real step backwards for the Russian auto industry, which has returned to 1988 standards.
And then, we end with the airless tire
Several manufacturers have already explored this track, including Michelin. It’s Goodyear’s turn to share its vision, with a concept that eliminates air pressure and, above all, continues to drive, even when you’ve just run over a nail. The tire in question has a structure in the form of sipes and distributes the weight of the load differently. The American manufacturer is in fact anticipating the arrival of autonomous shuttles and last-mile delivery robots. These are vehicles that have already been tested, including in France. But the airless and maintenance-free tire could also arrive on cars by 2030. By this date, there will be many vehicles with automatic assistance on the market. But, according to Goodyear, the classic tire will still play an important role in the future.