Most people picture hybrid cars as practical, easy-to-handle vehicles. Could hybrid racecars one day be on the track?
In March of 2010, Porsche (www.porsche.com/usa/At the Geneva Auto Show, ), unveiled three hybrids: one for road use; one for racing; and one that is a Porsche supercar. The innovative Porsche hybrids, including the Cayenne Hybrid, 911 GT3 R Hybrid, and 918 Spyder, show that hybrids can be fast, sporty, and powerful.
Porsche’s first production: The Cayenne, S hybrid carThis car is equipped with a highly sophisticated parallel full hybrid system, which combines the combined power from a 380 horsepower V6-combustion engine and an electrical motor. This car can significantly improve fuel economy at high speeds. When the driver releases the accelerator at highway or cruising speeds, the gasoline engine can turn off and be disconnected from the drivetrain. This allows the vehicle to move with no combustion or electric power.
The GT3 R’s hybrid technology is a unique innovation that was created specifically for racing. The car’s naturally aspirated four-liter, flat-six produces 480 horsepower and drives the front wheels. An electrical flywheel power generator is installed next to the driver, which supplies energy to the electric motors instead of the bulky batteries used in hybrid road cars. The 911 GT3 R Hybrid competed in the 24 Hours on the Nordschleife of Nürburgring in May 2010, leading for eight hours before retiring after 22 hours and 15 minutes for mechanical reasons. It placed 18th among 41 cars in the Petit Le Mans 2010 at Road Atlanta.
Porsche’s 918 Spyder hybrid sports car is a high-performance, mid-engine concept hybrid sports vehicle. It demonstrates its expertise in low-emission and highly efficient drive technology. The 918 Spyder prototype is equipped with plug-in hybrid technology. This combines high-tech performance with electric mobility to provide a wide range of unique qualities. It emits 70 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer and consumes just three liters of fuel for 100 km. However, it can accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 3.2 seconds, reaching a top speed of 198 mph.
