Porsche reveals Le Mans racer 04 | 03 | 2014
PORSCHE LIFTED THE wraps from its 919 Hybrid Le Mans 24 Hours LMP1 contender in Geneva today to finally reveal its colour scheme for the June race.
Interestingly, the new colour scheme incorporates the 'Porsche Intelligent Performance' slogan: the opening letters of each word are emblazoned down the car when looking from above.
Former Red Bull F1 winner Mark Webber will share one of the cars with Brendon Hartley and Timo Bernhard, while Romain Dumas, Neel Jani and Marc Lieb will drive together in the other.
The new petrol-electric hybrid powered prototype has been constructed to the latest LMP1 regulations, which stipulate the car must not exceed 4650mm in length, 1900mm in width and 1050mm in height and boast a minimum weight of 870kg.
Related: Porsche plans Cayenne facelift
Described as the most complex Porsche race car ever, the 919 Hybrid is powered by a newly developed single turbocharged 2.0-litre V4 direct injection petrol engine.
The combustion engine is supported by an electric motor mounted within the front axle and lithium-ion battery. They provide drive to the front wheels when activated, giving the 919 Hybrid temporary four-wheel drive capability.
The racer also boasts two different energy recovery systems, including brake energy recuperation and an innovative thermal energy recovery system housed within the exhaust system.
According to Porsche, the 919 Hybrid has undergone more 2000 hours of wind tunnel testing both at the company’s new wind tunnel facility in Weissach and at the University of Stuttgart.
Related: Scot Allan McNish wins Le Mans 24-Hours
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Jim McGill