Automotive

Peugeot L500R HYbrid concept celebrates the past while looking to the future

Peugeot L500R HYbrid concept celebrates the past while looking to the future
The L500R HYbrid with the L45 that won the Indy 500 in 1916
The L500R HYbrid with the L45 that won the Indy 500 in 1916
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Peugeot has created the L500R to celebrate its three Indy wins between 1913 and 1919
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Peugeot has created the L500R to celebrate its three Indy wins between 1913 and 1919
The car might have full bodywork and a hybrid powertrain, but it weighs just 1,000 kg
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The car might have full bodywork and a hybrid powertrain, but it weighs just 1,000 kg
The paintjob is designed to hark back to the L45's
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The paintjob is designed to hark back to the L45's
The L500R's body is just 1 m tall
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The L500R's body is just 1 m tall
The L500R is up there with the best looking concepts of the past few years
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The L500R is up there with the best looking concepts of the past few years
The car's massive wheels and slammed stance make for a seriously attractive concept
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The car's massive wheels and slammed stance make for a seriously attractive concept
Up front, the L500R's red splitter is designed to hark back to the L45's read detailing
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Up front, the L500R's red splitter is designed to hark back to the L45's read detailing
The three-element rear light is based on the style of some of Peugeot's road cars, albeit executed with a bit more flair
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The three-element rear light is based on the style of some of Peugeot's road cars, albeit executed with a bit more flair
The L500R HYbrid with the L45 that won the Indy 500 in 1916
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The L500R HYbrid with the L45 that won the Indy 500 in 1916
The L500R has a hybrid powertrain with two electric motors and a petrol engine
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The L500R has a hybrid powertrain with two electric motors and a petrol engine
0-100 km/h takes just 2.5 seconds
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0-100 km/h takes just 2.5 seconds
The car dispatches the standing kilometer in just 19 seconds
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The car dispatches the standing kilometer in just 19 seconds
The cabin is all about making the driver feel the center of attention
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The cabin is all about making the driver feel the center of attention
Peugeot has fitted the car with a tiny wheel
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Peugeot has fitted the car with a tiny wheel
A holographic version of the i-Cockpit features in the L500R's cabin
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A holographic version of the i-Cockpit features in the L500R's cabin
The Peugeot L500R HYbrid from the rear
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The Peugeot L500R HYbrid from the rear
View gallery - 16 images

Peugeot didn't front up at this year's Indianapolis 500, but that doesn't mean the French brand doesn't have a strong connection to the Brickyard. In fact, the Peugeot "Charlatans" team won the Indy 500 in 1913, 1916 and 1919. The L500R HYbrid is a concept designed to celebrate this history, while still keeping an eye on the future of motorsports.

It might be designed to celebrate the past, but the L500 R HYbrid's powertrain is a thoroughly modern hybrid setup with 500 hp (373 kW) and 730 Nm (538 lb.ft) of torque. With just 1,000 kg (2,205 lb) to shift, the combination of a 270 hp (201 kW) gasoline engine and electric motors on both axles will catapult the car to 100 km/h in just 2.5 seconds. It'll also devour the standing kilometer (0.62 mi) in just 19 seconds.

The three-element rear light is based on the style of some of Peugeot's road cars, albeit executed with a bit more flair
The three-element rear light is based on the style of some of Peugeot's road cars, albeit executed with a bit more flair

Unlike the open-topped racers of the past, Peugeot's latest concept sits the driver in a floating capsule within the bodywork. Information about your speed, gear and revs are transmitted through a holographic version of the dual-display i-Cockpit system which debuted earlier this year, and the driver grasps a tiny steering wheel.

On the outside, the first thing you notice is just how close to the ground the L500R is. As well as helping with aerodynamics, the car's ultra-low one-meter (3.28-ft) height makes for a wedgy, purposeful shape. Combined with a heritage three-tone paintjob, we think the L500R is the best looking concept we've seen from Peugeot in years. Considering it's up against cars like the Fractal and Exalt, that's no mean feat.

Peugeot revealed the L500R HYbrid ahead of this year's Indianapolis 500, which was won by Alexander Rossi.

Source: Peugeot

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