Details and photos with the 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid have just been revealed as the new race car is awaiting its public debut scheduled at the Geneva Motor Show.
The 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid is equipped with two 60 kW electric motors on the front axle that are working together with the 4.0-litre flat six engine delivering 480 BHP fitted at the back.
Instead of batteries the 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid uses an electrical flywheel power generator to generate energy for the electric motors, which charges whenever the brakes are applied. This electrical flywheel power generator can also be used as a power booster whenever the race car is overtaking one of its competitors for example, as the driver can supply up to 120 kW to the electric motors between 6 and 8 seconds after each charge process.
Another advantage for the 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid is that is powering system can help it save fuel depending on race conditions, which can also mean fewer pitstops.
After its debut the 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid will be tested on the Nurburgring in long-distance races.
Porsche press release :
Stuttgart. Exactly 110 years after Ferdinand
Porsche developed the world’s first car with hybrid drive, the Lohner
Porsche Semper Vivus, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, is once
again taking up this visionary drive concept in production-based GT
racing: During the Geneva Motor Show, a Porsche 911 GT3 R with
innovative hybrid drive is making its debut, opening up a new chapter
in the history of Porsche with more than 20,000 wins in 45 years scored
by the extremely successful Porsche 911 in racing trim.
The
innovative hybrid technology featured in the car has been developed
especially for racing, standing out significantly in its configuration
and components from conventional hybrid systems. In this case,
electrical front axle drive with two electric motors developing 60 kW
each supplements the 480-bhp four-litre flat-six at the rear of the 911
GT3 R Hybrid. A further significant point is that instead of the usual
batteries in a hybrid road car, an electrical flywheel power generator
fitted in the interior next to the driver delivers energy to the
electric motors.
The flywheel generator itself is an electric
motor with its rotor spinning at speeds of up to 40,000 rpm, storing
energy mechanically as rotation energy. The flywheel generator is
charged whenever the driver applies the brakes, with the two electric
motors reversing their function on the front axle and acting themselves
as generators. Then, whenever necessary, that is when accelerating out
of a bend or when overtaking, the driver is able to call up extra
energy from the charged flywheel generator, the flywheel being slowed
down electromagnetically in the generator mode and thus supplying up to
120 kW to the two electric motors at the front from its kinetic energy.
This additional power is available to the driver after each charge
process for approximately 6 – 8 seconds.
Energy formerly
converted – and thus wasted – into heat upon every application of the
brakes, is now highly efficiently converted into additional drive
power.
Depending on racing conditions, hybrid drive is used in
this case not only for extra power, but also to save fuel. This again
increases the efficiency and, accordingly, the performance of the 911
GT3 R Hybrid, for example by reducing the weight of the tank or making
pitstops less frequent.
After its debut in Geneva the 911 GT3 R
Hybrid will be tested in long-distance races on the Nürburgring. The
highlight of this test programme will be the 24 Hours on the
Nordschleife of Nürburgring on May 15th and 16th. The focus is not on
the 911 GT3 R Hybrid winning the race, but rather serving as a
spearhead in technology and a “racing laboratory” providing know-how on
the subsequent use of hybrid technology in road-going sports cars.
The
911 GT3 R Hybrid is a perfect example of the Porsche Intelligent
Performance philosophy, a principle to be found in every Porsche: More
power on less fuel, more efficiency and lower CO2 emissions – on the
track and on the road.
