24h Le Mans
Unlike Audi and Toyota, who developed a new prototype for the 2016 season, Porsche will entrust the 919 Hybrid that won at last year's 24 Hours of Le Mans and is the World Endurance Champion, even though it has undergone some modifications.
The design of the Porsche 919 Hybrid that allowed the German manufacturer to beat its own win record at the 24 Hours of Le Mans will not change in 2016: a V4 2-liter engine and two energy recovery systems that both use lithium-ion batteries for storage (one stores energy during braking and other through turbo exhaust). They have allowed Porsche to opt for the 8 MegaJoules class, the highest of the four classes put in place by the LM P1 hybrid technical regulations.
Despite the 919 Hybrid's domination in 2015 on the endurance scene, Porsche has focused on progress with in mind engine optimization, both conventional and hybrid thermal, thanks namely to the use of a new generation of lithium-ion batteries.
The German manufacturer has not rested on its laurels as Audi and Toyota have been preparing their new cars - the 2016 version of the 919 Hybrid will have three different bodies (the maximum authorized by the regulations) adapted to circuits visited by the World Endurance Championship (WEC), one reserved for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Lastly, Porsche has worked in collaboration with Michelin to optimize the pneumatic mounts intended for a performance gain,and the 2016 model of the 919 Hybrid will be equipped with an all-new front axle.
Tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. U.K. time, Porsche will officially present the 2016 version of the 919 Hybrid at the Paul Ricard circuit at Le Castellet, the day before the Prologue, the official tests of the World Endurance Championship (WEC).
Cécile Bonardel / ACO - Translation by Nikki Ehrhardt / ACO
