In addition, 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. The flywheel generator itself is an electric motor with its rotor spinning at speeds of up to 40,000rpm, storing energy mechanically as rotation energy.
The flywheel generator is charged whenever the driver applies the brakes, with the two electric motors reversing their function on the front axle and acting themselves as generators.
Then, whenever necessary, that is when accelerating out of a bend or when overtaking, the driver is able to call up extra energy from the charged flywheel generator, the flywheel being slowed down electromagnetically in the generator mode and thus supplying up to 120kW to the two electric motors at the front from its kinetic energy. This additional power is available to the driver after each charge process for approximately 6to 8 seconds, Porsche said.
Therefore, energy formerly converted and thus wasted into heat upon every application of the brakes, is now efficiently converted into additional drive power, the company said.
Porsche claimed that depending on racing conditions, hybrid drive is used in this case for extra power, and to save fuel. This again increases the efficiency and, accordingly, the performance of the 911 GT3 R Hybrid.
After its debut in Geneva the 911 GT3 R Hybrid will be tested in long-distance races on the Nurburgring.
