Story byMotorsport photoRachit ThukralSun, December 21, 2025 at 11:30 AM UTC·5 min readPeugeot is now inclined to update its existing 9X8 challenger instead of pursuing an all-new Le Mans Hypercar for the World Endurance Championship. The apparent shift in Peugeot’s stance follows the introduction of a new clause in the 2026 technical regulations, allowing struggling manufacturers to request additional evo joker upgrades beyond their original allocation. The rule states that “Additional Evolutions extensions (EVO Jokers) can be granted for a demonstrated significant lack of performance as determined by the governing body.”AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThis is particularly significant for Peugeot, which is understood to have used both its homologations and exhausted all five evo jokers available under the 9X8’s initial five-year cycle through 2027. Since the summer, the French marque had been evaluating a clean-sheet prototype to replace the 9X8, arguing the car was heavily compromised by early LMH regulation changes made to align the category with LMDh. A fresh build would have required approval from the FIA and the Automobile Club de l’Ouest. However, Peugeot now says discussions with the rulemakers centre on what further evolutions could be applied to the current car within the expanded regulatory framework. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAll joker-based upgrades - whether those within the allocation or additional - must still be authorised by both governing bodies.“The new discussions we're having now have opened up the possibilities for evolutions,” Peugeot technical director Oliver Jansonnie said in Bahrain.