Porsche presents models with Hybrid Drive in Geneva
Highly Efficient and Ultra-Fast:
918 Spyder and 911 GT3 R Hybrid
The Porsche 918 Spyder and 911 GT3 R with hybrid drive made their world debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, earlier this month.
The 911 GT3 R Hybrid racing car with electric drive on the front axle and a flywheel mass battery, and the two-seater high-performance 918 Spyder mid-engined sports car with plug-in hybrid – clearly demonstrates not only the great bandwidth of this new drive technology, but also the innovative power of Porsche as a genuine pioneer in hybrid drive.
918 Spyder
The 918 Spyder prototype combines high-tech racing features and electro-mobility to offer a fascinating range of qualities: An emission level of just 70 grams CO2 per kilometre on fuel consumption of three litres/100 kilometres (equal to 94 mpg) truly outstanding even for an ultra-compact city car, on the one hand, combined with the performance of a super sports car and acceleration from a standstill to 100 km/h in just under 3.2 seconds, top speed of 320 km/h (198 mph) plus, and a lap time on the Nürburgring of less than 7:30 minutes, faster than even the Porsche Carrera GT.
The highly innovative 918 Spyder concept car combines Porsche’s Intelligent Performance technology, high-tech in motorsport, and classic but modern design to make a truly convincing statement.
This open two-seater is powered by a high-speed V8 developing more than 500 bhp and running at maximum speed engine of 9,200 rpm as well as electric motors on the front and rear axle with overall mechanical output of 218 bhp (160 kW).
The V8 combustion engine is a further development of the highly successful 3.4-litre power unit already featured in the RS Spyder racing car and positioned midship in front of the rear axle, giving the car the right set-up for supreme performance on the race track through its good balance.
Power is transmitted to the wheels by a seven-speed Porsche-Doppel- kupplungsgetriebe also feeding the power of the electric drive system to the rear axle. The front-wheel electric drive powers the wheels through a firm transmission ratio.
Reminiscent of highly successful, legendary racing cars such as the Porsche 917 Le Mans and the current Porsche RS Spyder, the 918 Spyder with its design concept so typical of Porsche arouses powerful emotions. The combination of racing car dimensions, clearly structured design with perfectly balanced surfaces, and innovative details all round creates an overall pattern of aesthetic, perfectly balanced harmony in design full of power and dynamics. This indeed is the ideal synthesis of form and function following Porsche’s design DNA.
The smooth balance of tradition and progress gives the car a powerful stance on the road in its combination of dimensions. Variable aerodynamics typical of Porsche ensure both visionary and traditional highlights especially around the rear spoiler. The striking rear hoods extending out of the headrests, in turn, not only fulfil an aerodynamic function on the 918 Spyder, but also accommodate retractable air intakes with a ram air function.
The 918 Spyder also comes with further innovative functions such as the Range Manager. After being activated in the Center Display, the Range Manager uses the map in the navigation system to present the remaining range the car is able to cover, naturally allowing the driver to influence that range through the appropriate choice of power and performance. In cities with environmental alert areas the Range Manager also states whether the driver is able to reach a certain destination on electric power alone.
Applying this information and using further info on the availability and location of special energy filling stations, the driver is then able to choose his personal style of driving as well as the right battery charge and filling strategy.
Offering a unique combination of extremely low fuel consumption, supreme performance and long electric range, the Porsche 918 Spyder represents an essential milestone in Porsche’s strategy on the way to genuine electro-mobility.
911 GT3 R Hybrid
A new chapter in Porsche Motorsport was written at the Geneva Motor Show this month, when Porsche unveiled its latest GT3 race car with hybrid drive.
Exactly 110 years after Ferdinand Porsche developed the world’s first car with hybrid drive – the Lohner Porsche Semper Vivus – the new GT3 R Hybrid brings innovative hybrid technology 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 each developing 60 kW supplements the 353 kW four-litre flat-six engine at the rear of the 911 GT3 R Hybrid. Significantly, instead of the usual batteries in a hybrid road car, an electrical flywheel generator positioned 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.
When accelerating out of a corner or overtaking the driver can then use this electric energy from the charged flywheel generator, the flywheel being slowed electromagnetically in the generator mode to supply up to 120 kW to the two front electric motors. The extra power is available for approximately 6 - 8 seconds after each charge.
Depending on racing conditions, hybrid drive is used 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 by reducing the weight of the fuel tank or the need to make extra pit stops.
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 15 and 16 where the car will be used as a “racing lab.”
Technology gained will subsequently be used in hybrid technology for road-going Porsche sports cars.