Reader Response Draft #1

The 2017 Porsche 919 Hybrid LMP1 is powered by an advanced power unit with an internal combustion engine, a turbocharged 2.0-litre V4, and an electric system (Goodwin, 2017). The 2 engines combined produce a total output of over 900 HP. Fuel is directly injected into the ICE, which produces 500 HP. The rest comes from 2 energy recovery systems (ERS) that are stored in lithium-ion batteries (Brownell, 2017). The ERS-K (Kinetic) recovers almost 60% of the energy generated during the deceleration at the front wheel, which provides all-wheel drive functionality whenever necessary. The ERS-H (Heat) creates energy by utilising the heat from exhaust gases (Porsche AG, 2017). According to Goodwin in 2017, with the regulations set by the governing body of the Le Mans 24, the race car was allowed to consume up to 8 MJ of the energy recovered by the ERSs to cover as many laps as possible in the 24 hours of racing. This made the 919 Hybrid the most energy-efficient car on the track

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With the combined ICE and electric engine (ERSs) in the power unit, the Porsche 919 Hybrid is the most technologically advanced car to dominate the WEC and Le Mans 24-hour.

The internal combustion engine of the 919 Hybrid 2017 is Porsche’s most efficient 2.0-litre V4 engine (Porsche AG, 2017). It shows the time and effort spent building and refining it over the years Porsche participated in the Le Mans and the WEC. The V4 turbocharged combustion engine has 4 cylinders, split into 2 cylinders per row in a V-shaped configuration, placed near the rear axle, providing an output of just about 500 HP (Perkins, 2019). As Mike Fernie explains in his video, V4 engines are exceptional due to their small size as compared to other engines such as the V6 and the V8. Thus, using the V4 engine was excellent for the 919 Hybrid as it provided a rigid structure to the car. The V4 engine has 4 cylinders placed in a 90-degree angle configuration, where it can sit in the chassis due to its small size as well as to cancel out vibrations or forces acting on the engine/car when in operation. This configuration allowed the 919 to operate more smoothly than other cars in the Le Mans and WEC. Another special feature the ICE has is the ability of DFI, also known as Direct Fuel Injection. This means that instead of fuel intake into the cylinders, it is directly injected into the combustion chamber (Pratte, 2015). This allows better control of fuel injected into the engine as well as its consistency. 

Working together with the ICE are the 2 Energy Recovery Systems. These are the Kinetic ERS and the Heat ERS. Both systems are stored in the lithium-ion battery, which powers the electric engine (Goodwin, 2017). The ERS-K comes into action when the car brakes. During braking, a generator is used to recover and store the energy in the battery. Goodwin states that on average, 80% of the energy recovered via the ERS-K is converted into energy required to increase the acceleration. Sara Kimberly explains that if the 919 Hybrid solely depended on the ICE to provide energy, Porsche would have to increase the total output to over 100 HP. This results in fuel usage being increased by over 20% as to what it uses with the hybrid technology (Kimberly, 2017). The ERS-H is activated when the 919 Hybrid is under extreme stress from overuse of the engine (Newsroom, 2016). As such, this causes the exhaust energy to be used up fast. To recover it, a small turbine in the exhaust system is implemented. The turbine stores the recovered energy in the same generator that houses the recovered kinetic energy from the ERS-K.

In conclusion, the combination of the 2 energy recovery systems and the unique features of the V4 turbocharged internal combustion energy contributed to the success and dominance of the Porsche 919 Hybrid in the WEC and Le Mans. The 2 systems combined also make the race car one of, if not, the most technologically advanced and highly energy-efficient race cars to grace the racing industry. 

References:

• Goodwin, G. (2017, March 31). Porsche’s 2017 919 hybrid in detail. dailysportscar.com. Porsche’s 2017 919 Hybrid In Detail
• Porsche, A. (2017, March 31). The new Porsche 919 Hybrid. Porsche Newsroom. The new Porsche 919 Hybrid
• Loewenberg, G. (2017, March 31). Porsche officially unveils the 919 Hybrid for 2017. The Drive. Porsche Officially Unveil The 919 Hybrid For 2017
• Stuttgart. (2015, June 30). Porsche AG: Porsche Technologies of the future in a test of endurance - porsche USA. Porsche HOME: Porsche technologies of the future in a test of endurance - Porsche USA. Porsche technologies of the future in a test of endurance
• Perkins, C. (2019, February 14). Why V-4 engines are brilliant, and why you never see them in Cars. Why V-4 Engines are Brilliant, And Why You Never See Them In Cars. Why V-4 Engines are Brilliant, And Why You Never See Them In Cars
• Fernie, Mi. (2019, February 13). Why V4 engines are so rare and which cars use them - Mike’s Mechanics. YouTube. Why V4 engines are so rare and which cars use them - Mike's Mechanics
• Pratte, D. (2016, November 11). Direct injection:how it works and why it’s a game changer (for better and for worse). Speed Academy. Direct Injection:How It Works And Why It’s A Game Changer (For Better And For Worse) | Speed Academy
• Porsche. (2016, July 21). How the technology of the 919 Hybrid Works. Porsche Newsroom. How the technology of the 919 Hybrid works - Porsche Newsroom
• Kimberly, S. (2017, April 4). Porsche unveils its new 919 hybrid: Race Tech Magazine. Race Tech Magazine |. https://www.racetechmag.com/2017/04/porsche-unveils-new-919-hybrid919/