Le Mans: Porsche 919 Hybrid unveiled

After long months of preparation and development PorschePorscheGermany, 1931 > present43 models
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is finally ready to return to the highest category of endurance racing. The German brand officially unveiled the 919 HybridPorsche 919 HybridGermany, 2014 > present at the Geneva Motor Show, the car that will compete in the World Endurance Championship, with highlight at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Following the latest changes of LMP1 regulations, the Porsche prototype is a hybrid vehicle (petrol/electric) and does not exceed 4650mm in length, 1900mm wide and 1050mm in height. Following weight regulations the car will be below 870kg.

According to Porsche the 919 Hybrid race car is the most complex ever created by the company and is equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter V4 petrol engine with direct injection. The brand claims that the engine reaches 9000rpm.

Mounted on the front axle there is an eletric motor complementing the combustion engine. Activated using ion-lithium batteries, the electric engine provides power to the front wheels, giving temporary AWD to the 919 Hybrid.

The new Porsche race car is also equipped with two energy recovery systems, including regenerative braking system and a thermal energy recovery housed in the exhaust system.

The Hybrid 919 went through a long development process, which according to Porsche includes over 2000 hours of testing in the wind tunnel, in both the new company facilities in Weissach, as the University of Stuttgart.

The brand has also announced the drivers that will take the commands of the 919 Hybrid in WEC in 2014. One of the cars will be led by former Red Bull F1 driver Mark Webber, Brendon Hartley and Timo Bernhard. The other car will be driven by Marc Lieb, Romain Dumas and Neel Jani.