Porsche 911 GT3R Hybrid to Prove Itself at Nürburgring

You wouldn’t think that high-speed performance sports cars would aim at fuel efficient technologies like gasoline-electric hybrid power, but that’s a pretty big misconception. Better efficiency often translates to better power, and in the world of racing this is a significant consideration. Since technologies proven at the race track tend to trickle down to street cars over time, the application of advanced hybrid power at speed is an important move. Porsche presents an ideal example.

Already, this storied marque is offering a gasoline-hybrid variant of its 2010 Cayenne crossover vehicle, a move that clearly portends more efficient and advanced hybrids coming to the Porsche lineup. In fact, hybrid power holds a special place in the marque’s history that dates back to Ferdinand Porsche’s youth more than a century ago. At 18, he designed the groundbreaking Lohner-Porsche, a hybrid utilizing four electric hub motors, one at each wheel. This car set a land speed record and won more than a few races in its time.

Today, Porsche is bringing hybrid power back to the race track by fielding an all-new hybrid version of its production-based 911 GT race car. It’s an important new chapter in Porsche’s race program, which has seen Porsche 911 race cars posting some 20,000 victories over the past 45 years.

Engineered exclusively for racing, the 911 GT3 R Hybrid integrates two 82 hp (60 kW) electric motors at the front axle powered by an electric flywheel generator located adjacent to the driver. The flywheel, which spins its rotor within a vacuum housing at up to 40,000 rpm as it mechanically stores electrical energy, is charged during braking as the front electric motors generate electricity during deceleration.

This power is available on demand for short bursts, like when the GT3 R Hybrid is overtaking or accelerating out of a turn. At this point the additional 164 electric hp comes on line for six to eight seconds to supplement the already considerable 480 hp from the 911’s naturally aspirated, 4.0-liter flat-six gasoline engine that drives the rear wheels. Power is available after each braking recharge. Fuel efficiency improvement is an additional benefit under certain racing conditions. This is important, as better fuel efficiency could bring fewer pit stops and also lighter weight as less fuel is required on board.

Will Porsche’s hybrid racing technology translate to similar technology for its street cars? That remains to be seen since electric flywheel generators have been around for many decades, but have yet to be incorporated in a mass production vehicle.

The Porsche 2010 Cayenne S Hybrid previously tested by Green Car Journal editors uses a completely different gasoline-electric hybrid configuration. The production Cayenne’s hybrid technology, while elegant and complex, is not nearly as exotic as the electric flywheel generator system in the GT3 R Hybrid. We’ll just have to see how things unfold as the 911 GT3 R Hybrid makes its racing debut at Germany’s famous Nürburgring and competes in long-distance 24 hour races there, and Porsche applies real world learnings.