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Reader Response Draft 2: Porsche 919 Hybrid Power unit



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.

With the combined ICE and electric engine (ERSs) in the power unit, the Porsche 919 Hybrid is one of the most technologically advanced cars 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 engine features 2 cylinders per row in a V-shaped configuration, positioned near the rear axle. It delivers an output of approximately 500 HP (Perkins, 2019). As Mike Fernie explains in his video, V4 engines are exceptional due to their compact size, compared to other engines such as the V6 and the V8. Thus, using the V4 engine was excellent for the 919 Hybrid as it provides a rigid structure to the car. The reason for this is the 4 cylinders that are placed in a 90-degree angle configuration. This configuration also minimises vibrations or forces acting on the engine/car. Another special feature of the ICE is the ability to use 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 consistency and control of fuel injected into the engine, allowing the 919 to operate smoothly compared to other cars in the Le Mans and WEC.

The Porsche 919 Hybrid's electric engine and Energy Recovery Systems (ERS) work with the ICE to optimise performance and efficiency. The car features two ERS systems: the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (ERS-K) and the Heat Energy Recovery System (ERS-H). The ERS-K captures energy from braking at the front wheels and converts it into electrical energy stored in lithium-ion batteries, which powers an electric motor that provides all-wheel drive functionality when needed. This system recovers about 80% of the braking energy, significantly boosting acceleration and overall performance (Goodwin, 2017). The ERS-H, meanwhile, recovers heat energy from the exhaust gases, increasing energy efficiency even further. Together, these systems contributed to the car’s total power output, with up to 8 MJ of energy being used per lap under Le Mans regulations (Porsche AG, 2017). Without these ERS systems, Porsche would have required much more fuel to maintain similar performance levels (Kimberly, 2017), highlighting the hybrid system’s importance in maintaining the car’s competitive edge in endurance racing

Despite the success of the Porsche 919 Hybrid, hybrid power units in motorsport are not always perfect. One major concern has been the reliability of these complex systems, particularly under the extreme conditions of endurance racing. Such reliability concerns present a potential flaw in the otherwise highly efficient and powerful system of the 919 Hybrid, demonstrating the challenges of maintaining both performance and durability in hybrid race cars.

The Porsche 919 Hybrid’s combination of a highly efficient V4 internal combustion engine and advanced Energy Recovery Systems propelled it to dominance in the WEC and the Le Mans 24-hour race. The ICE's compact, fuel-efficient design and the electric engine’s energy recovery capabilities made the car one of the most technologically advanced and energy-efficient race cars of its era. However, like many hybrid systems in motorsport, the 919 Hybrid’s power unit was not immune to reliability issues, posing a significant challenge to its long-term performance. Despite this, the Porsche 919 Hybrid remains an iconic example of innovation in endurance racing.


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 Engineering. (2014). Download - Porsche Engineering. https://www.porscheengineering.com/filestore/download/peg/en/magazine-2014-02/default/e9e20c16-b6b3-11e4-a19d-001a64c55f5c/Download.pdf  (Page 35)


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