Formula 1 tried its hand, unsuccessfully, at racing with a supplementary energy propulsion system – referred to as the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS). Each team had the option of developing its own hybrid system, which could consist of battery power or simply a mechanical system to harness and store energy. The Williams F1 team chose the latter and developed a flywheel that could harness kinetic energy, and thereafter provide extra propulsion or power.
To cut a long story short, the cost of development of KERS in F1 proved to be too high and the teams voluntarily decided to stop development. Williams, however, formed Williams Hybrid Power Limited, and has since provided their system to Porsche for use in Porsche’s 911 GT3 R.
The GT3 R Hybrid has two electric motors, producing 60 kW of power each to drive the front axel, which complements the 480bhp 4.0 liter flat-six that powers the rear wheels. And, instead of using battery power, the electrical flywheel power generator delivers energy to the electric motors. In this case, the flywheel acts as an electric motor with its rotors capable of spinning at speeds of up to 40,000 rpm. These generators can then be used to provide power for
overtaking. Its functionality is quite simple, and whenever the driver applies the brakes, both the electric motors reverse their action on the front axle, and act like generators.
For overtaking maneuvers, that extra bit of energy can be extracted by slowing down the flywheel electromagnetically in the generator mode, and thus supplying up to 120 kW to the two electric motors at the front using the stored kinetic energy. This additional power is available to the driver after each charge process for approximately 6-8 seconds at a time.
Porsche will be testing the car over long distance races, such as the forthcoming 24 Hour Race at the Nürburgring on May 15th and 16th. This could well be the start of an all new era for Porsche motorsport.
The Audi e-tron all-electric sports concept debuted at the Frankfurt motor show last year. It had four electric motors, two each for the front and rear axels, driving all four wheels in true Audi tradition. It produces 313bhp and a massive 3,000lb/ft of torque – enabling it to accelerate to 100km/h in just 4.8 seconds. A second, more compact, e-tron debuted at the Detroit Motor show in January this year.
Audi has now okayed production of a range of e-tron vehicles – starting with the original concept, which is based on the R8. Initially, 100 vehicles will be built out of their Ingolstadt facility in 2012. Thereafter production will increase based on customer demand and feedback. The e-tron badge will be common through the range. However, each model will have a distinct name. Now,
this is a future of electric cars that we could truly come to love.
| BMW’s M division goes Green |
It looks like high performance cars are truly set to lead the green brigade – staring now. All BMW M3s will, henceforth, come with an auto start-stop system, which is said to reduce emissions, and increase fuel efficiency by up to 8%. In addition, the M3 already incorporates BMWs Efficient Dynamics technology, which consists of Brake Energy Regeneration, on-demand use of ancillary systems, and lightweight engineering.
