Geneva motor show 2010 - Porsche 911 GT3 R hybrid

Porsche today revealed a hybrid version of its 911 GT3 R racing car – its first petrol-electric car since 1900.

What is it
The hybrid technology has been developed for racing application, so two electric motors supplement the 480bhp 4.0-litre engine.

However, instead of the batteries you'd find in a hybrid road car, a generator powered by the car's flywheel delivers energy to the two electric motors.

Generating power
The generator is charged whenever the driver applies the brakes, at which point the electric motors stop delivering power in order to act as generators themselves.


Rather than braking energy being lost as heat, it is converted into power that can be used at a later time by the car's driver.


The extra power that's generated in during each charge process is available to the driver for around 6-8 seconds – ideal for accelerating out of a bend or overtaking.

Saving fuel
As well as creating extra power, the hybrid system helps reduce fuel consumption. Performance is also improved because the car will need a lighter fuel tank and fewer pitstops.

Car on test
After the Geneva motor show, Porsche will be testing the 911 GT3 R hybrid in long-distance races at the Nurburgring in Germany.

Porsche hopes that the car will act as a 'racing laboratory' to help develop future hybrid technology in road-going applications.

First Porsche hybrid for 110 years
The Porsche you see here at the Geneva motor show is not the company's first attempt at hybrid technology. Ferdinand Porsche first developed a vehicle with hybrid drive 110 years ago; the Lohner-Porsche. This had two combustion engines and an electric hub motor, and could store energy in a battery.


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