Porsche has launched an updated 911 GT3 R Hybrid, dubbed Version 2.0, to compete in this year’s 24 Hours of Nürburgring.

However, unlike most race cars, Porsche claims the aim of this update is not to achieve quicker lap times, but to achieve the same lap times with less fuel consumption. That’s not a completely absurd idea though, as less time refueling in the pits can be crucial in endurance racing.

To achieve this goal, Porsche has optimized the hybrid system to allow for the removal of large louvres in the front of the rear fenders, which were previously used to cool high voltage equipment. This helps reduce drag. Moreover, the optimization has resulted in a weight reduction of 50 kilograms.

However, Porsche hasn’t completly ignored speed in this update. The output of each electric motor has been increased from 80 to 101 horsepower, meaning that an additional 200 horsepower or so can assist the 470 horsepower boxer engine when necessary. This power can be called up automatically through programming, or manually by the driver.

Porsche has also revamped the interior to improve ergonomics and ease of use in dark conditions. Most of the controls have moved to the steering wheel, while the centre console is now backlit.

Have a closer look at this new hybrid racer in the gallery below.

Press Release

Nürburgring 24 hour race

Porsche lines up with an even more efficient 911 GT3 R Hybrid

Stuttgart. Porsche takes up the Nürburgring 24 hour race on 25 June with a further developed version of the Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid. Priority of the development was given to the improvement of efficiency through the targeted optimisation of hybrid components, which also resulted in a 20 percent weight reduction. Version 2.0 of the 911 GT3 R Hybrid is intended to achieve the same lap times as its predecessor but with less fuel consumption.

The general layout of the hybrid was adopted from the 2010 model. A portal axle with two electric motors drives the front wheels and supplements the four-litre, depending on the balance of performance classification approximately 470 hp, six-cylinder boxer engine at the rear. The output of both electric motors has increased from 60 to 75 kilowatts each. For seconds at a time, pilots now have almost an additional 200 hp at their disposal with the 911 GT3 R Hybrid 2.0. Depending on the programming, this power is automatically activated through use of the throttle pedal. Moreover, pilots can manually call up this extra power, for instance when overtaking.

The electric flywheel accumulator, with its rotor spinning up to 40,000 rpm and stor-ing energy mechanically as rotational energy, is now housed with the other hybrid components in a carbon fibre safety cell on the passenger’s side.

At first glance, the new GT3 R Hybrid is clearly distinguishable from the 2010 model. Thanks to the optimisation of the hybrid system’s high voltage components, the large louvres in front of the rear fenders were no longer necessary. This reduces drag and also lowers fuel consumption. All in all, the weight of the vehicle decreased from 1,350 to 1,300 kilograms.

“We’ve collected a great deal of information from our races on the Nürburgring, at the ALMS race at Road Atlanta in the USA, as well as from the ILMC race on China’s Zhuhai circuit, which was an invaluable help for the further development of our racing laboratory,” says Hartmut Kristen, head of Porsche motorsport. “The emphasis of our work was on improving efficiency. That means we want to keep the lap times consis-tent with 2010 but use less energy, hence less fuel. In this way, we support future developments of road-going, sporting hybrid vehicles.”

The cockpit of the 911 GT3 R Hybrid has also been completely revised. Most of the displays and controls have moved to the steering wheel. Drivers can operate the rest of the functions via backlit buttons now situated on the centre console. Priority was placed on the ergonomics and the clear layout for pilots – particularly in darkness.
The new 911 GT3 R Hybrid is a perfect example of the ‘Porsche Intelligent Perform-ance’ philosophy, a principle found in every Porsche: More power on less fuel, more efficiency and lower CO2 emissions – on the race track and on the road.

Source: Porsche