Cars
Porsche's Technological Innovations Part 12: Hybrid Revolution
From hybrid racing breakthroughs to the first hybrid 911, Porsche continues to push innovation in performance, efficiency, and electrification.
In this final instalment of the series dedicated to technological innovations in Porsche's history, we come to the most recent achievements of the Stuttgart-based company.
The successes have not cooled the passion of the engineers in Stuttgart: at the 2010 Nürburging 24 Hours, a 911 hybrid is fielded with two electric motors capable of 60 kW (82 hp) combined with the 488-horsepower GT3 R, positioned parallel to the front axle. When the driver brakes, the recovered kinetic energy drives a flywheel capable of spinning up to 40,000 rpm and is then stored in an accumulator to be sent to the two electric motors connected to the front wheels when required. This system not only offers a surplus of power useful when overtaking, but also increases traction when exiting bends, thanks to the four-wheel drive, and significantly reduces fuel consumption.
