919 HybridThis is the car for our return to top-class motor sports at the FIA World Endurance Championship. The 919 Hybrid. This is the car for our return to the place that stole our hearts all those years ago – the 13,629 km that mean everything to us – the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Unlike a 911 GT, at first glance it’s not your typical Porsche. That’s because of the strict FIA WEC regulations on vehicle design. As a result, our latest racing car has the futuristic look of a Le Mans Prototype.
The FIA World Endurance Championship is where motor sports history is written. This is where those at the highest level of motor sports pit themselves against each other on renowned race tracks around the globe. The race series, which replaced the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup in 2012, is considered one of the toughest in the world, and brings together sports prototypes and Gran Turismos on eight long-distance circuits. After a 16-year absence, Porsche is in back in the racing car line-up for LMP1, the highest class, with the 919 Hybrid.
TechnologyThe WEC regulations present us with many different challenges. They lay down strict requirements pertaining to efficiency, safety and sustainability in motor sports. In short, vehicles that are designed for the future. These requirements have inspired our engineers to carry on what Porsche has been doing for over 60 years. Avoiding an either/or approach to isolated technologies, and instead examining every possible detail without losing sight of the overall picture.
Could we not have assumed that our past 16 overall victories were the perfect preparation for this challenge? That would have been both unprofessional and impossible, since the new regulations will usher in a new era at Le Mans in 2014. In the LMP1 class, the principle of dominance through maximum performance will give way to the demand for efficiency. For the first time in the race’s history, all of the works teams in the top classification must compete with hybrid racing vehicles.
Our choice of combustion engine was born out of an efficiency-optimised approach: a highly compact, turbocharged four-cylinder 2-litre engine with direct fuel injection. The combustion engine is supported by two energy recuperation systems. Years of experience in designing Sports Cars helped us to reduce the weight of individual components even further. The sports prototype is made mainly of carbon. In addition, the engine made of high-strength aluminium and the use of magnesium and various titanium alloys also helped to achieve the ideal system weight.
The vehicle Vehicle type Le Mans Prototype class LMP1
Monocoque Composite fibre construction made of carbon fibres with a honeycomb aluminium core.
On-board system battery Lithium-ion battery
Engine Engine V4 engine with turbocharging
Engine management Bosch MS5.6
Engine lubrication Dry-sump lubrication
Displacement 2.000 cm³
Power > 370 kW (> 500 PS)
Hybrid system Accumulator type Lithium-ion battery
Engine Generator Unit (EGU) EGU on front axle, Power > 250 PS
Drive/power transmission Drive type Rear wheel drive, all-wheel drive via KERS on the front axle.
Clutch CFRP clutch
Transmission Sequential, hydraulically activated 7-speed sequential racing transmission
Differential Rear differential lock
Transmission housing Hybrid construction in CFRP with titanium inserts and cast aluminium housing
Drive shafts Constant-velocity sliding tripod universal joints
Chassis/steering/brake Chassis Front and rear multi-link pushrod independent wheel suspension with adjustable shock absorbers
Steering Hydraulically assisted rack-and-pinion steering
Brakes Hydraulic dual-circuit brake system, light-alloy monobloc brake callipers, internally ventilated carbon fibre rear and front brake discs
Rims Forged magnesium wheels
Tyres Michelin Radial, front and rear: 360/710-18
Weight/volume Minimum weight 870 kg
Tank capacity 66,9 l
Body Height 1,050 mm
Width 1,900 mm
Length 4,650 mm
