911 GT3 R Hybrid to debut in Geneva

"The innovative hybrid technology featured in the car has been developed especially for racing, standing out significantly in its configuration and components from conventional hybrid systems. In this case, electrical front axle drive with two electric motors developing 60 kW each supplements the 480-bhp four-litre flat-six at the rear of the 911 GT3 R Hybrid. A further significant point is that instead of the usual batteries in a hybrid road car, an electrical flywheel power generator fitted in the interior next to the driver delivers energy to the electric motors."

 

how does 60kW translate into hp? I wonder if that extra power is worth the weight penalty on such a car. Pretty badass development, though I must admit I'm more interested in the 4L flat six.

 

60kW = 80.46hp (per wheel).


Porsche's press release follows that math as it states:

"The extra power is engaged by pressing a button on the steering wheel, providing up to 161-hp to the front wheels, assisting the 911 GT3 R Hybrid’s 480-hp 4.0L inline-6 that powers the two rear-wheels."

This represents a 33% increase of the 480-hp engine itself. What I can't find in the press release is the additional weight of the electrical flywheel power generator. While an additional 160 hp is fantastic, it's only for 6-8 seconds at a time. The rest of the race the car is carrying around the additional weight of the hybrid system (whatever that is).

 

This KERS is interesting and no doubt will add thrust out of a corner, but it will be impulse like. The F1 boys had a hard time adapting to theirs and I understand there will be no KERS in F1 this year.

The other question is the added mass (130Kg) affecting car dynamics and the gyro effect can have interesting dynamic quirks of its own.