How the hybrid car has come of age - GQ.com
But when the two bodies in charge of Le Mans, the FIA and the ACO, decided not to insist on a uniform hybrid system for the top LMP1-H category, it gave the green-light to one of the most intriguing motorsport experiments of all time. There was no limit on engine size or cylinder number, no diktats on petrol or diesel, the number of energy recuperation systems, or on the use of lithium ion batteries, ultracapacitors or flywheel storage. The three main contenders, Audi , Porsche and Toyota duly arrived at a completely different answer to the same question. Porsche's solution is probably the most intriguing. It's a petrol unit and has a front-axle braking recuperation system (like F1's KERS), plus a thermodynamic one that uses the exhaust gas flow to drive the turbo and a dynamo, and uses lithium ion batteries. The Toyota is powered by a 3. 7-litre petrol V8, recovers energy on the front and rear axles, and uses a super capacitor. The Audi is a direct injection V6 single turbo diesel, has front axle kinetic energy recuperation, and uses a flywheel storage system. Porsche and Toyota are in the 6MJ class, Audi 2MJ. Interesting fact: the amount of electrical energy the Porsche 919's systems recaptured during the 24 hour race is enough to power a Volkswagen Golf GTE hybrid from New York to Los. Source: www.gq-magazine.co.uk
