Peugeot disappointed countless racing fans when it shuttered its Le Mans prototype program, leaving Audi all by itself on the podium at the French endurance race and countless others around the world. But this latest announcement indicates that it has something exciting in store. The French automaker has revealed that it will return to Pikes Peak this coming June with a specially-developed machine based on its 208 T16 rally car. And who will be driving it? None other than Sebastien Loeb.

Although the nine-time World Rally Champion wasn't specifically confirmed as the driver, the announcement did indicate Loeb was involved in the program together with Total, Red Bull and Michelin. And we can hardly imagine Loeb being involved without taking the wheel in his unsurpassedly capable hands. The 208 T16 Pikes Peak will pick up where the legendary 205 T16 and 405 T16 left off. The latter won the legendary hillclimb race twice in the late 80s with Ari Vatanen and Robby Unser behind the wheel, documented in the classic film "Climb Dance". This time Loeb is on loan from Peugeot's sister-company Citroen.

While this announcement is sure to get our motors running, Peugeot Sport notes that it also has numerous versions of its 208 competing in lower-level rallying and endurance racing as well. The 208 T16 Pikes Peak will be unveiled in mid-April.