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.
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
