Who said Porsche wasn't going to make a high performance hybrid? There's nothing higher performance than racing, and racing for 24 Hours on the Nordschleife of the Nurburgring is a special proving ground indeed. Porsche plans to run the 'ring in a 911 GT3 R Hybrid that will have its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
Although Ferdinand Porsche developed the world's first hybrid 110 years ago, the 911 GT3 R Hybrid will not be the first hybrid to race at the 24 Hours of the Nurburgring. That honor belongs to Gumpert, and we covered it here at Autopia
And although the Porsche is a hybrid, it is quite different in layout and design than the KERS system used last season in Formula 1 racing when KERS was awarded Powertrain Innovation Of The Year. The system in the Porsche was developed by Williams Hybrid Power using technology originally developed by the AT&T Williams F1 team.
Though the technology grew from the Williams' F1 team's work, Williams Hybrid Power now focuses on road-going applications.
"We are delighted to see our technology being adopted by one of the world's leading engineering companies and most prestigious automotive manufacturers in one of their racing cars," Ian Foley, managing director of Williams Hybrid Power, said in a statement. "Partnering with Porsche on this project has been a very positive experience and we are grateful to them for choosing to work with us."
The system used in the Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid is markedly different from conventional hybrid systems in its configuration and components. The front axle features two electric motors, each developing 60 kilowatts (about 80 horsepower) to complement the 480 horsepower naturally-aspirated four-liter flat six that drives the rear wheels. The car ditches the heavy battery found in a conventional hybrid in favor of an electrical flywheel power generator installed inside next to the driver
The flywheel generator, with its rotor spinning at up to 40,000 rpm while mechanically storing energy, also works as an electric motor. Whenever the driver applies the brakes the flywheel generator is charged as the two front axle electric motors reverse their role and act as generators. This additional power is available after each charge for approximately six to eight seconds and can be used when accelerating out of a bend or while overtaking. The driver can use the extra energy from the charged flywheel generator, sending up to 120 kilowatts of stored kinetic energy to the motors.
Not only does the Porsche hybrid system make more power available, but the hybrid drive can also be used to save fuel. By increasing the efficiency and the performance of the 911 GT3 R Hybrid, reductions can be made to the weight of the fuel tank or the car can make less frequent pit stops, for example.
After its roll out in Geneva, the 911 GT3 R Hybrid will be tested in long-distance races at the 24 Hours on the Nordschleife of Nurburgring.
Porsche says that "The focus is not on the 911 GT3 R Hybrid winning the race, but rather spearheading technology as a 'racing lab.' The intent is to provide hands-on know-how for the subsequent use of hybrid technology in road-going sports cars."
Fair enough, but we're sure they'll take a win if they can.
UPDATED 8:20 p.m. to include Williams Hybrid Power's role in the car. Hat-tip to the guys at Brits On Pole for alerting us.
Photo: Porsche
