NAIAS 2011: Porsche's spectacular 918 RSR concept ...
Ahead of the launch of the final production version, Porsche have today taken the wraps of a competition variant of the much loved 918 Concept launched at Geneva last year. Undoubtedly one of the stars of the 2011 edition of the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, the new Porsche showcar is suitably dubbed the 918 RSR. It uses the same underpinnings and RS Spyder engine as the earlier car but with a fixed head body and the more sophisticated hybrid drive system out of the successful 997 GT3 R Hybrid. Developed together with Williams, this hybrid system uses a flywheel to store the energy generated during braking. On the 918 RSR it powers two front-mounted electric motors, which together produce a hefty 150 kW. Combined with the high-revving, direct-injection V8 engine, the sophisticated drive-trains puts out a staggering 767 bhp. The 918's styling is inspired by the hugely successful 908 and 917 endurance racers of the 1960s and 1970s. A nice nod to those air-cooled machines is the fan placed on the rear deck, between the intake manifolds. The starting number 22 is a reference to the Martini liveried 917K that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1971. Using an experimental magnesium chassis, that competition car was also very much a rolling laboratory. Whether we will see the 918 RSR compete on the world's racing tracks as well remains mystery for now.
You can expect much more news from this year's NAIAS on Ultimatecarpage.com in the coming days.
Enjoy the links:
2011 Porsche 918 RSR - Images, Specifications and Information
2011 Ford Focus Electric - Images, Specifications and Information
2011 Creation UK Project Allora - Images, Specifications and Information
2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe GT - Images, Specifications and Information
2011 Hyundai HCD-12 Curb Concept - Images, Specifications and Information
Last edited by Wouter Melissen; 01-10-2011 at 07:01 AM.
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