written by Oliver M. Bayani
Tuesday, 16 February 2010 08:43
Speed junkies and environmentalists are looking forward to Porsche A.G.’s latest offering, as the automobile manufacturer prepares to unveil its new hybrid race car at the Geneva Motor Show this March.
The 911 GT3 R hybrid race car uses a flywheel power generator instead of the conventional lithium-ion batteries. Initially developed by Williams Hybrid Power Limited for Formula One cars, the system harnesses kinetic energy when braking to power a pair of 60-kilowatt electric motors mounted on the car’s front axle.
The stored energy is then used to give the car a boost, sending up to 120 kilowatts of stored kinetic energy to the motors as the car accelerates out of a bend or while overtaking. This additional power is available after each charge for around six seconds to eight seconds.
The hybrid drive can also save fuel on the race track. By increasing efficiency and performance, engineers could make minor but useful modifications like reducing the weight of the fuel tank or extend the racer’s run by minimizing pit stops.
After its debut in Geneva, the Porsche (Xetra:PH3) hybrid racer will be tested in the 24-hour, long-distance races on the Nürburgring, a motorsport race track in Germany, from May 15 to 16.
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