Porsche’s 911 Test “Hybrid”
By autoguy in Future Cars, Hybrid Cars on February 21st, 2010
Last week, Porsche introduced its , featuring the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS). It will be formally unveiled at next month’s Geneva auto show, exactly 100 years after Ferdinand Porsche launched the world’s first hybrid car, the Lohner Porsche Semper Vivus. In May, it will race in the 24-hour Nürburgring, the track of which is widely thought to be the world’s toughest, most demanding racetrack.
Most hybrids rely on heavy lithium-ion batteries, but the KERS is a flywheel generator that captures and stores energy from braking, and replaces the passenger seat. As the driver brakes, the car’s front two motors act as generators, accelerating the flywheel. When the driver pushes a button on the steering wheel, the flywheel then acts as a generator converting mechanically stored kinetic energy into electrical energy, sending up to 120 kW to the front wheels for a 6 to 8 second burst of 160 hp. This will be useful as the driver is coming out of a turn, or trying to pass. It is expected to save fuel, lower the number of pit stops, and allow the car to be heavier.
Typical for 911s, a 480 HP 4.0 Liter flat six engine runs the rear wheels. This motor is known for lower mechanical vibrations.
Porsche will be using the same design that the Williams Formula 1 racing team uses, except as there is no passenger seat in the F1, the F1 KERS gets its energy from the rear drivetrain. In the past, Formula 1 found the technology controversial for several reasons. It adds 25 kg. (55 lbs.) of weight, raises the car’s center of gravity and reduces the ballast, making it difficult to evenly distribute the car’s weight.
Though there are no plans yet for a street-legal version of this car, this design is part of Porsche’s “Intelligent Performance” philosophy, which will drive all future car designs. The goal is more power, less fuel and lower CO2 emissions (which they have lowered by 1.7% annually for the last 15 years). This hybrid will act as a racing laboratory, and is intended to spearhead Porsche’s new design.
