28 May 2011
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Press releases
On Saturday, 28th May, the Porsche 911 GT3R Hybrid with WHP flywheel energy storage system won the 4th round of the Nürburgring Endurance Series (VLN), outright. This was a historic first victory for the GT3R Hybrid and, indeed, a true first ever win for any hybrid endurance racing car amongst non-hybrid entrants.
The VLN series is contested by GT sports cars from numerous manufacturers including Porsche, Audi, and Mercedes and this was the 4th of an 11 race series of 4 hour endurance races all occurring at the Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit - affectionately nicknamed “The Green Hell” for its gruelling nature and defined by 20 kilometres, 154 corners, and numerous undulations at the foothills of the Eifel mountain range.
For the Porsche Hybrid 2.0 this race was selected as part of the preparation for the 24 Hour Nürburgring race which takes place on the 25/26 June and is very much considered one of the main motorsport events in Germany.
The 2011 Hybrid system is 20% lighter and rated at 150 kW power as compared to 120 kW in 2010. Depending on the programming, this electrical power is automatically added through the use of the throttle pedal. Furthermore, the hybrid drivers can manually call up this extra power, for instance when overtaking. Whilst the portal axle drives the front wheels, the four-litre, now 465 HP strong six-cylinder boxer engine which drives the rear axle was reduced in power and optimised with respect to fuel consumption. Fuel efficiency gains allegedly netted one fewer pitstop for the Hybrid as compared to the majority of the field over the 4 hour race and, though Porsche are carefully guarding actual fuel savings numbers, such a benefit would of course be useful over a 24 hour race.
