Porsche’s 919 Hybrid Evo: On a Mission to Smash Track Records
Modern Formula 1 cars don’t have a chance against the 919 Hybrid Evo.
If you didn’t know, Porsche has been on a tear to create history with a new Le Mans prototype, even though they’ve pulled out of prototype racing all together in 2017. Dubbed the 919 Hybrid Evo, Porsche’s prototype will never race another car, just a clock. But it really is the symbolism that they are after in the long run.
April 9th marked the first record smashing run, with the location being Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium. Followers of Formula 1 will know that Lewis Hamilton set the record last year with his Grand Prix qualifying lap of 1:42.553. Porsche smashed it. Neel Jani took the 919 Hybrid Evo, at an average speed of 152 miles per hour to set a time of 1.41.770. A grand total of 0.783 was shaved off the record, and it was twelve seconds faster than last year’s Porsche in World Endurance Championship trim.
So why does the 919 Hybrid Evo even exist if it will never be in a race? To let engineers have a dream come true. As fast as it can be with no rules and no restrictions.
Starting off with the already established success of the prior year’s LMP car, Porsche decided to make a tribute to the prototype’s success by making it as fast as they dare. With no restrictions from WEC, weight was reduced, power was increased and aero was optimized.
ALSO SEE: Porsche Leaving WEC for…Formula E?
WEC mandated a certain fuel rate per lap, and with that removed, power of the turbocharged V4 (yep, V4) was increased to over 700 horsepower from a level just shy of 500. Even the electric motors had more megajoules, which for the rest of us means the front electric motors gained over 35 combined horsepower. Bigger splitters and wings increased the levels of down-force, while the design also helped mitigate drag. Brake by wire allowed better control of the car in corners as well. Weight reduction was also implemented, eliminating everything that wasn’t necessary for one fast lap. Subsequently, the 919 is 39kg lighter, at 849kg.
It’s a fitting tribute to a company who won’t be involved in prototype racing in the near future. But you can still check out the rest of the car’s record smashing tour as it happens throughout the year. Next event for the 919 Hybrid Evo will be another big one: Nurburgring.
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