Full disclosure: this is the 919 design and aero prototype on loan from the Porsche Museum in Germany, and not one of the team’s actual Le Mans 2014 competitors.
Even so, being touchably close to any racecar is enought to get the heart beating faster.
In fact, even cropping these photos has made a big thump-thump in my neck! The closer my eye comes to the quad-beam lighting setup, the more exciting the car seems — even a static model.
Despite much respect for the Audi Motorsport team, the Porsche 919 Hybrid was the favorite on this sofa during June’s Le Mans race. Well, to be fair to Toyota, we mainly just wanted a non-Audi team to win the top LMP1 class. The Audi dominance of the race is both boring and tiresome at this point. There is no way to sugar-coat that.
Sure, they work very hard and are brilliantly skilled as a team.
But nothing would have sent the Audi guys home more humble than being beaten by Porsche on their first year back in the race.
Sigh… can you imagine!?
Maybe next year… when Nissan will also field a LMP1 car — making it a four-way rumble par excellence...!
2014 Porsche 919 Hybrid
Technical Specs
2014 Porsche 919 Hybrid
The vehicle |
|
|---|---|
| Vehicle type | Le Mans Prototype class LMP1 |
| Monocoque | Composite fiber construction made of carbon fibers with a honeycomb aluminum core. |
| On-board system battery | Lithium-ion battery |
Engine |
|
|---|---|
| Engine | V4 engine with turbocharging |
| Engine management | Bosch MS5.6 |
| Engine lubrication | Dry-sump lubrication |
| Displacement | 2.000 ccm |
| Power | > 370 kW (> 500 hp) |
Hybrid system |
|
|---|---|
| Accumulator type | Lithium-ion battery |
| EGU on front axle | Engine Generator Unit (EGU), Power > 250 hp |
Drive/power transmission |
|
|---|---|
| Drive type | Rear wheel drive, all-wheel drive via KERS on the front axle. |
| Clutch | CFRP clutch |
| Transmission | Sequential, hydraulically activated 7-speed sequential racing transmission |
| Differential | Rear differential lock |
| Hybrid construction in CFRP with titanium inserts and cast aluminum housing | Transmission housing |
| Drive shafts | Constant-velocity sliding tripod universal joints |
Chassis/steering/brake |
|
|---|---|
| Chassis | Front and rear multi-link pushrod independent wheel suspension with adjustable shock absorbers |
| Steering | Hydraulically assisted rack-and-pinion steering |
| Brakes | Hydraulic dual-circuit brake system, light-alloy monobloc brake calipers, internally ventilated carbon fiber rear and front brake discs |
| Rims | Forged magnesium wheels |
| Tires | Michelin Radial, front and rear: 310/710-18 |
Weight/volume |
|
|---|---|
| Minimum weight | 870 kg |
| Tank capacity | 68.3 l |
Body |
|
|---|---|
| Height | 1050 mm |
| Width | 1900 mm |
| Length | 4650 mm |
Tom Burkart is the founder and managing editor of Car-Revs-Daily.com, an innovative and rapidly-expanding automotive news magazine.
He holds a Journalism JBA degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Tom currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina with his two amazing dogs, Drake and Tank.
Mr. Burkart is available for all questions and concerns by email Tom(at)car-revs-daily.com.