Hybrid Supercars Whaddya Think?

[stoliver54]

Porsche came out with a new 'hybrid' cup car that they are going to be racing at the 24 hrs at the Nurburgring, and just the other day they released details on their 918 Spyder (I will try to post a link) Ferrari has also come out with a hybrid version of their 599 GTB.

I don't know how many of you guys are into Formula 1, but the systems that these manufacturers are using are very similar to the KERS on some of the cars from last year. The porsche is using a flywheel type system, and I am not sure what the Ferrari is using...

The cars still keep the normal engine and power of their similar models but add electric motors to the front wheels, adding i think roughly 200kg but also 100+hp and about 110ft/lbs of torque. Making the 'hybrid' cars have a hight power/weight.

So what do you think? Good idea? Is this the future?

Porsche 918 Spyder video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ucnp-srma-A

Can't find a picture of the Porsche GT3 R Hybrid but here is a video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gbwOGOqM_A

[Farbin Kaiber]

Both sexy, and both probably something the future will hold commonplace.

[blefevre]

I am never a fan of things that promote MORE batteries, regardless of type. It doesn't seem that many companies are into other systems like a hydraulic kers type system - it has been done, or something more out of the box. But at least hybrid type systems promote more engineering research, which is always good!

In a super car though, it's just marketing, keep it to the masses where it might actually make a difference.

[downforce22]

I think its a good idea because most super car manufacturers (if they produce cars for the general public) use some of the technology from those cars to make their general mass produced cars better in one way or another.

By researching and making these hybrid supercars they are essentially testing new alternative energies and systems that will eventually be the future of where automobile technology is going.

[clarkkey594]

If you followed F1 closely last year most of the teams either had problems with the KERS systems malfunctioning and ditched them or ditched them because of the excessive weight that is coupled with their components.

[clarkkey594]

Interesting concept though.

[stoliver54]

If you followed F1 closely last year most of the teams either had problems with the KERS systems malfunctioning and ditched them or ditched them because of the excessive weight that is coupled with their components.

That was true until the end of the season when those teams began to find balance in their cars, look at how Ferrari and Force India performed at Spa. And the McLarens came on strong towards the end of the season as well. I thought it was a stupid engineering experiment and that it would not trickle down to road cars, but apparently they saw something beneficial to fast track it into road cars only a year later.

The 80hp gain was not worth the extra weight in F1, but in these road cars they are getting more power for considerably less total percent weight gain.

And I use the term road cars loosely, the 918 is a concept car and their other is strictly a race car, the Ferrari without 'KERS' costs nearly 300k, but I think that people who can afford things in that price range can afford to pay a bit more for something like this. And if it gains 'real world data' hopefully it will advance the way affordable cars are engineered. But I don't know of anyone who daily drives a Ferrari 599. So it may just be a marketing ploy.

And I guess you could throw the BMW Vision Efficient Dynamics into this mix too, may be a bit slower but still impressive.

[Danny]

Isn't the new EVO supposed to be a hybrid as well?

[Bimmerman325i]

I want that Porsche. Wasn't thrilled with the Vision the first time I saw it, still not.

[stoliver54]

The Porsche is sexy as hell huh?

And they think it will lap the Nordschleife faster than the Carrera GT, that is crazy.

[monkeytaco]

Sexy. BMW FTW!

[Roland H]

I really hate prototypes because they always look tits and companies never make them. :(

[monkeytaco]

I'm with you Roland, but then, I can't afford to buy it even if I want to, so I'll just enjoy the auto pornotypes, i mean prototypes. :)

[Bimmerman325i]

I really hate prototypes because they always look tits and companies never make them. :(

I've seen it in person. It looks wicked, yes....but I'm just not interested in it. A four cylinder turbo diesel supercar......still sounds like a four cylinder turbo diesel Ford Transit van.

[Roland H]

I'd still rock it.