Judging from the shape of the nose cone, that is definitely the revised R18. I guess they want to test the reliability of the hybrid system in hot weather. I find it a bit strange that they are not going to Bahrein instead, because that track is on the WEC calendar.
Last year there was the rumor that Peugeot tested in Bahrein during the winter:
http://tentenths.com/forum/showthrea...ng#post2834213