Successful race debut for the “Version 2.0”

Stuttgart. A strong race premiere for the further-developed Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid. With “Version 2.0” of the innovative hybrid race car from Weissach, Porsche works drivers Joerg Bergmeister (Germany), Marco Holzer (Germany) and Patrick Long (USA) finished round two of the Nürburgring Long Distance Championship in eleventh position. The Porsche 911 GT3 RSR fielded by Manthey Racing with Porsche factory pilots Timo Bernhard (Germany), Romain Dumas (France) as well as Manthey pilot Lucas Luhr (Switzerland) secured second place.

The race meeting for the 911 GT3 R Hybrid was part of intensive preparations for the Nürburgring 24 hour race in June. “We’re well within our time plan and are making good progress with the 2011 version,” says Hartmut Kristen, Head of Motorsport at Porsche. “At an endurance test and one other outing as part of the Nürburgring Long Distance Championship we will gain additional data so that we are well prepared for the Eifel marathon.”

Priority in the further development over winter was placed on increasing efficiency. For this, the weight of the vehicle, including the hybrid components, was reduced from 1,350 to 1,300 kilograms. The weight of the hybrid components was reduced by 20 percent through targeted optimisation. The general hybrid layout was adopted from the 2010 model.

The output of both electric motors in the portal axle increased from 60 to 75 kilowatts each. For seconds at a time, pilots now have about 200 hp more at their disposal with the 911 GT3 R Hybrid 2.0, which equals ca. 23 kW (32 hp) of additional conventional power per Nordschleife lap. Depending on the programming, this electrical power is automatically activated through use of the throttle pedal. Moreover, hybrid pilots can manually call up this extra power, for instance when overtaking.

With the portal axle driving the front wheels, the four-litre, now 465 hp six-cylinder boxer engine, which drives the rear axle, was reduced in power and optimised with respect to fuel consumption.

“In many aspects, version 2.0 of the 911 GT3 R Hybrid is a completely new car,” says Joerg Bergmeister. “It’s always a good sign when a new car reaches the finish line at its first race outing.”

The yellow and green Porsche 911 GT3 R of Manthey Racing also drove a trouble-free race. Separated by 33.6 seconds from the winning Mercedes, Timo Bernhard, Romain Dumas and Lucas Luhr brought home second place. The trio were unanimous: “Our car ran like clockwork. Over the entire race we were involved in many spirited two-way fights and that was huge fun.”

At the wheel of their Porsche 911 GT3, the All-German driver line-up, Georg Weiss, Oliver Kainz and Michael Jacobs saw the flag in seventh position. Ninth place was occupied by the 911 GT3 R of Jochen Krumbach (Germany), Marc Gindorf (Monaco) and Philipp Wlazik (Germany).

Source [Porsche]

 

Nice shots!

 

So a standard GT3R came in 9th and the GT3R hybrid came in 11th. Seems like a great reason to ditch the hybrid gear on the 918...

 

More pics. All 4 off is greatness.

 

Agreed - I'd love to see a high-res photo...

 

+2...