Following the impressive performance at the Nürburgring 24 hour race where the Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid demonstrated the potential of its groundbreaking technology over 22 hours and 15 minutes and led the overall classification for more than eight hours, the orange and white liveried 911 racer will now travel to the USA and Asia. Porsche has received an invitation to contest the season final of the American Le Mans Series, the race series featuring the world’s fastest sportcars, at the ‘Petit Le Mans’ at Road Atlanta on October 2. The race runs over a distance of 1,000 miles or a maximum of ten hours. The Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid will not be eligible for points, as hybrid technology is not yet included in the GT regulations.
For November 7, Porsche then plans to race the 911 GT3 R Hybrid at the season final of the new Le Mans International Cup, the six hour race in Zhuhai, China. Again here, the vehicle is not competing for points.
“After the 911 GT3 R Hybrid’s fantastic performance at the Nürburgring 24 Hours, we are now eager to gain more experience with the hybrid technology on a variety of race tracks,” says Hartmut Kristen, Head of Porsche Motorsport. “At the same time, we would like to show fans and customers in our most important markets how our ‘race lab’ performs under racing conditions,” adds Kristen.
The Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid, featuring two electric motors at the front axle each developing 60 kilowatts to supplement the 480 horsepower normally-aspirated rear-engine, expressly typifies the philosophy of “Porsche Intelligent Performance”: Under braking, the 911 GT3 R Hybrid converts kinetic energy into electrical energy and stores it in a flywheel. During acceleration, this energy is automatically delivered to the front wheels, supporting the combustion engine. This leads to a reduction in fuel consumption and increases the cruising range. Moreover, drivers can manually utilise the stored energy with a boost-paddle on the steering wheel for overtaking.
Since April 19th we’ve received close to 20 different press releases (possibly more, but I think I may have deleted a few) from Porsche’s PR department. Generally, we publish most of them, but we don’t necessarily send them out in our newsletters (remember this post about stealth publishing). I figure if we published and sent out a newsletter every time Porsche releases a new piece of press you would hit the unsubscribe button faster then the 0 to 60 time of the new GT2 RS (3.4 seconds if you were wondering).
While we try to save the newsletter for more then just promotional items sometimes Porsche puts out something so juicy we just can’t resist. The new 911 GT2 RS is one such item. As “The Most Powerful Street Legal Porsche of All Time” (620 HP), a production limit of just 500 worldwide and a price tag just $5k shy of a cool quarter of a million we couldn’t resit. The excellent video intro, featured below, definitely didn’t hurt either. The original press release is published after the video for those of you that haven’t yet had a chance to view the details.
The time: seven minutes, 18 seconds on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife. The power: 620 hp. The weight: 3,020 lb (1,370 kilograms) in road trim with all fluids on board. The car: the new 2011 Porsche 911 GT2 RS.
90 More Horsepower, 154 lbs Less Filling
The latest 911 is the fastest and most powerful road-going sports car ever built in the history of Porsche. With horsepower (hp) up by 90 and weight down by 154 lbs (70 kilograms) in comparison with the previous 911 GT2, the new 911 GT2 RS has a power-to-weight ratio of just 4.9 lbs (2.21 kg) per horsepower, by far the best power/weight ratio in its class. These are the ideal ingredients for an ultra-high-performance sports car with supreme agility and truly blistering performance on the road. Perfectly illustrating Porsche Intelligent Performance, the 2011 GT2 RS achieves a reduction of approximately 5 percent for both fuel consumption and CO2 emission reduction when compared with the previous 911 GT2.
The 3.6 liter six-cylinder boxer engine features two variable turbine geometry turbochargers and provides power to the rear wheels exclusively through a six-speed manual gearbox. Equally impressive stopping power comes from Porsche Composite Ceramic Brakes (PCCB).
Unique Tires, One of a Kind Performance
New tires were specifically developed for the 911 GT2 RS and measure 245/35 ZR 19 at the front and 325/30 ZR 19 at the rear, delivering cornering performance to match the straight-line speed. Extreme cornering dynamics are ensured by the setup of the springs, Porsche Adaptive Suspension Management (PASM), unique anti-roll bars, specific engine mounts and recalibrated Porsche Stability Management (PSM), whose stability and traction control functions can be switched off individually.
The combined effect of these developments is evident on the racetrack. In fact, the ultimate 911 accelerates from 0-60 in 3.4 seconds, boasts a top-track speed of 205 mph and laps the famed Nürburgring-Nordschleife racetrack in just 7 minutes and 18 seconds.
Carbon Fiber, Limited Production
In its looks, the new 911 GT2 RS stands out clearly from the other 911 models through the lavish use of carbon-fiber-reinforced (CFR) components with a matt-black surface finish, even wider wheels (including flared wheel arches at the front), new light-alloy wheels with central locking and “GT2 RS“ model designations on the doors and rear lid. Matte-finish carbon also graces the redesigned front spoiler lip and the 3/8th of an inch (10 mm) taller rear spoiler lip – which both enhance aerodynamics and provide extra downforce.
The interior of the 911 GT2 RS also exudes sporting performance in virtually every detail. Lightweight two-piece bucket seats made of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic are standard, as are lightweight door panels with fabric straps instead of traditional door handles. The basic interior color is black, which contrasts with red elements, such as the seat center sections, the roof lining and segments of the steering wheel rim. The gearshift and handbrake lever are also finished in red alcantara.
Limited to just 500 units worldwide, the 911 GT2 RS will be available in the U.S. October 2010 and will have a MSRP of $245.000. The GT2 RS is making its world debut at the Moscow Auto Show on August 25th 2010.
The Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid passed its test leading up the Nuerburgring 24 hour race on the 15th and 16th of May with flying colors. At round two of the Nuerburgring Long Distance Championship, the racer from Weissach decked out in white and orange crossed the finish line third in the overall classification. On April, 23, several weeks prior to the long distance classic in the Eifel, AT&T Williams Formula 1 pilot Nico Hülkenberg will test the Porsche hybrid-911 on the Nuerburgring Nordschleife.
Testing for the third round of the Nuerburgring Long Distance Championship, Hülkenberg will make his debut on the Nordschleife in a Porsche race car. Hülkenberg is no stranger to the flywheel generator that stores energy from the Porsche-developed hybrid system. Following Porsche’s specifications, the generator was designed and manufactured by Williams Hybrid Power.
“This test drive will certainly be a completely new experience for me,” says Hülkenberg. “In my career to date I’ve only every driven formula cars so I’m very curious to find out how the Porsche with hybrid technology drives.”
Electric front-wheel-drive with two electric motors developing 60 kW (82 hp) each supplements the 480 hp four-liter flat-six at the rear of the 911 GT3 R Hybrid. Instead of the batteries used in hybrid road cars, an electrical flywheel power generator fitted in the cockpit beside the driver delivers energy to the electric motors. Compared to a battery, the flywheel generator has the advantage of storing high amounts of energy considerably quicker and then releasing it.
Thanks to its sophisticated electronic control, the innovative hybrid drive of the 911 GT3 R automatically provides optimal efficiency at racing speed. The combination of the combustion engine and electric motors fulfill a simple objective: Less fuel consumption without compromising performance. When overtaking or accelerating out of a bend, the driver can manually override the controls by pressing the boost paddle on the steering wheel and sending energy from the charged flywheel generator to the front axle. This additional power of 120 kilowatts is available to the driver after each charge process for approximately six to eight seconds.
Nico Hülkenberg’s test drive starts on the 23rd of April at 2:30 Pm local time and lasts for about one hour.
he Porsche 911 has again shown its supremacy as the world’s most successful GT race car – this time both as a traditionally-powered racer and a hybrid entry.
At the second race of the Nürburgring Long Distance Championship, the new Porsche 911 GT3 R celebrated its second overall straight win. The innovative 911 GT3 R Hybrid, which features two electric motors supplementing the combustion engine in the rear, finished third. Seven Porsche 911 were amongst the top ten finishers.
In a repeat of the season-opening race, the yellow-green Porsche 911 GT3 R fielded by Manthey Racing ran without any technical problems from start to finish. The result for the driver trio Timo Bernhard (Germany), Romain Dumas (France) and Marcel Tiemann (Monaco) was their second win of the season.
Factory drivers Joerg Bergmeister and Wolf Henzler (both Germany) drove an entirely trouble free race in the new Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid. The hybrid vehicle impressed with outstanding efficiency and one less pit stop than most competitors.
“The hybrid system clearly helped us to save fuel. Moreover, it’s a great feeling to have those extra 120 kW from the electric motors when you accelerate out of the corners,” Bergmeister reported.
Mamerow Racing’s Porsche 911 GT3 R with drivers Chris Mamerow and Sascha Bert (both Germany) also put in an excellent drive until they were sidelined by an accident while running second.
Also, the standard street-specification Porsche 911 GT3 RS was taken through another test for the 24 hour race in May.
“We made some changes to the set-up during the practice and race in preparation for the 24 hour race,” explains former DTM pilot Roland Asch (Germany). “When you’re in the middle of the race action, you almost forget you’re sitting in a road-going car. I’m very much looking forward to contesting the 24 hour race.”
Round three of the Nürburgring Long Distance Championship takes off on 24 April at midday with a duration of four hours.
A successful weekend for Porsche at the season-opener of the Nürburgring Long Distance Championship: At its race premiere, the new Porsche 911 GT3 R claimed victory, the innovative 911 GT3 R Hybrid debuted with sixth place and Walter Röhrl made his much celebrated comeback after 17 years.
Timo Bernhard (Germany), Marc Lieb (Germany) and Marcel Tiemann (Monaco) are the winners of the first race of the season on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife. With the new, 480 hp Porsche 911 GT3 R fielded by the Manthey Racing team, the trio drove a trouble-free race. “It is extraordinary to climb to the top of the podium at the first race ever of a new race car,” said a pleased Bernhard. His works driver teammate Lieb added: “It seems the new 911 GT3 R has inherited the reliability of all racing 911.” With 14.5 and 3.6 seconds respectively, the three Porsche pilots relegated the best Audi RS and the BMW M3 to finish second and third.
The new Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid also gave a promising debut: Porsche works drivers Joerg Bergmeister (Germany), Richard Lietz and the former Porsche Junior Martin Ragginger (both Austria) brought home the white/orange racer with its combustion engine supplemented by two electric motors delivering 60 kW each to the front axle in sixth place after a trouble-free race. “I’m positively surprised how well this car performed already at its first race,” said Bergmeister. “We tried many things out during the race and will be busy further developing the hybrid drive for the 24 hour race in May. Our aim is to use less fuel than our competitors without compromising performance,” explains Lietz.
Double world rally champion Walter Röhrl (Germany) made his much applauded racing comeback after 17 years. Sharing driving duties with Horst von Saurma-Jeltsch (Germany) and Chris Harris (Great Britain) he put the standard 450 hp Porsche 911 GT3 R through a test under race conditions. “The car exceeded my highest expectations and I had a great time at the wheel,” enthused Röhrl. “We were able to match the pace of thoroughbred race cars. The 911 GT3 RS was particularly sensational in fast corners and under braking. And the best thing is, if it wasn’t so far tonight I could just put our number plate on the car and drive back to Bavaria without a problem.”
Round two of the Nürburgring Long Distance Championship takes off on 10 April at midday with a duration of four hours.
Related Porsche Posts
Written on February 11th, 2010 at 4:15am by 993C4S
Porsche introduced the world to the concept of a hybrid car more than 110 years ago with the Lohner-Porsche. Today, Porsche announces the development of a hybrid drive that supplements the already impressive 480 hp of the GT3 R race car. This innovative hybrid drive opens a new chapter in Porsche racing history that encompasses more than 20,000 victories over 45 years.
Developed specifically for racing, the new hybrid system differentiates itself from conventional hybrid systems by way of configuration and components. The front axle of the Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid features two electric motors, each developing 60 kW to supplement the 480 hp, naturally aspirated, four-liter flat-six that drives the rear wheels. Instead of the heavy batteries usually found in a hybrid road car, an electrical flywheel power generator is installed inside next to the driver delivering energy to the electric motors.
While no performance figures are yet available for the new Porsche Hybrid, Porsche is quick to stress potential benefits of the electrical flywheel power generator in long-distance and endurance racing in the form of fuel savings and efficiency.
“The flywheel generator is also an electric motor, with its rotor spinning at speeds of up to 40,000 rpm while mechanically storing energy. The flywheel generator is charged whenever the driver applies the brakes, as the two front axle electric motors reverse their role and act as generators. Then, when accelerating out of a bend or while overtaking, the driver can use the extra energy from the charged flywheel generator, sending up to 120 kW of stored kinetic energy to the motors. This additional power is available after each charge for approximately six to eight seconds.”
These extra six to eight second increase the efficiency and, accordingly, the performance of the 911 GT3 R Hybrid. Specifically, a small fuel tank (or less fuel) will result in lighter weight and the added electric power after breaking makes for less frequent pit stops.
After its debut in Geneva, the 911 GT3 R Hybrid will be tested in long-distance races on the Nürburgring. The highlight of this test program will be the 24 Hours on the Nordschleife of Nürburgring, May 15-16, 2010. The focus is not on the 911 GT3 R Hybrid winning the race, but rather spearheading technology as a “racing lab.” The intent is to provide hands-on know-how for the subsequent use of hybrid technology in road-going sports cars.
This video has been sitting in our in-box for the last week or so and we’ve been meaning to spread the love. So, without further ado, here’s a full eight minutes of aural and visual delights for those of you who just can’t get enough of Porsche’s newest race car.
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