Porsche back at Le Mans?

RSGulp · Jan 10, 2011

You would have noticed Porsche made a big announcement at the Detroit Auto Show today... the new 918RSR racing car.

Launched wearing number 22 - the same number as the Le Mans winning 917 wore in 1971. And also, with driver's names behind the door edges... Mark Lieb and Des's mate Wally RÃ¶hrl. I just HOPE this means Porsche are planning to come back to Le Mans for an outright win - and also that it means Audi are to go into F1 where they can compete against their natural rivals BMW and Mercedes.

The detail in the 918RSR is amazing. The cabin looks almost luxurious. There's even a flux capacitor in the passenger seat. Porsche have certainly raised the bar for racing cars... but then they've always done that haven't they. [

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RSGulp · Jan 10, 2011

Not sure what the orange painted highlights are all about though?! [

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Mark_Bennett · Jan 10, 2011

Sadly this is not the sort of car that can take an outright win with the current rules.
I'm not sure where it fits in really, it doesn't really fit in any of the various classes...

It sure looks beautiful though [8D]

RSGulp · Jan 10, 2011

I believe the ACO are looking to allow hybrid engined cars to run in LMP2 for 2011. I'm sure by the time Porsche take the 918 to Le Mans the rules will have changed again - maybe a dedicated hybrid class. But I've read numerous times over the years that Porsche will only enter Le Mans to win outright.

Mark_Bennett · Jan 10, 2011

Well with the ever-fluid rules from the ACO anything is possible!

I rather fancy the Peugeot for the hybrid win though... wonder if the engine in that one is small enough for LMP2?

h_____ · Jan 10, 2011

Its a bit plush inside for a race car isnt it! Looks the seat!, and its got a carpet? And its got door trim and across the dash whats that all about?

Mark_Bennett · Jan 10, 2011

Just posted on Daily Sportscar :

[FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif"]...Whilst there are no plans yet announced for the 918 RSR (despite the names of Walter Rohrl and Marc Lieb on the photos provided today, together with the evocative race number 22, harking back to the 1971 Le Mans winning Porsche 917), it seems very likely indeed that Porsche will be requesting the "˜56th' slot for the 24 Hours of Le Mans where the ACO have promised a slot to a car displaying green technologies "" Unless someone else pops up super quick with something even more convincing it seems Porsche are in pole position for that honour in 2011! [FONT=verdana,geneva"]

Melv · Jan 11, 2011

ORIGINAL: RSGulp

Not sure what the orange painted highlights are all about though?! []

Ask Des......[8|]

Tony · Jan 11, 2011

Lots of speculation from websites printing/reworking the press releases, but careful avoidance by Porsche of any mention of a competition future for the car.

Couple of sites talk about it being a two seater - will the first volunteer to sit on that KERS unit please step forward [

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And what's that engine cover fan all about?

h_____ · Jan 12, 2011

I assume the engine cover fan is a retro look to trace its origins back to the 917? If a bit loose.

paul howells · Jan 12, 2011

The car looks awesome,be nice to have a street version,as you say i hope the fan has a function.Side windows look like a 904 .
The passenger looks strange,from outer space I guess!!
You can see the CGT tub that they are using

clubsport · Jan 12, 2011

Good to see Porsche striving forward in a new technological show piece and that it should start out on the circuit.......I wonder how long these hybrid batteries last (and replacement cost) if the car is a high days and holidays garage queen?

Really not sure about the brown/orange interior....it looks like the aftermath inside carreraboys new car after trying to take Paddock bend flat in 5th! [

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Laurence Gibbs · Jan 12, 2011

Just allowing my imagination to run free. The rear fan is the first hint of a new electric motor conversion for the 911. great big electric motor with cooling fan an cowl at the front with the batteries slung below to copy the iconic air cooled motor of the past. Of course Porsche will have optimised the cooling fan to sound like an old 2.4 [

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Tony · Jan 12, 2011

Folks, re-reading the press release, it's a case of "no batteries required" (thank God), energy being stored in a flywheel as per the GT3 hybrid.
Also found this "A visible fan wheel between the ram air intake tubes and a rear spoiler with RS Spyder dimensions additionally emphasise the racing laboratory function" which perhaps means the fan's there to keep the bullshit cool!
Come on Porsche cut the hype, when will it appear on a racetrack - how about the Nurburgring 24hr followed by Castle Combe on Sept 2nd?

PhilRS · Jan 12, 2011

I applaud the idea of a new race car, but it does not really excite me, given the racing history of the Porsche company. Where are the equivalents of the Porsche 908, 917, 917-30, 935, 956, 962 (to name but a few), all outright winners of major races, all designed to be well-ahead of the competition.

Aside from the odd choices for the inside trim, the car looks fairly bland to me. The shape looks like a mixture between a McLaren F1, a Lotus Evora and a Noble.

The last 908 that won at Le Mans was a ... Peugeot. [

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Laurence Gibbs · Jan 12, 2011

BTW the Kers system used is a Williams F1 design i beleive. Williams are now selling the technology . Porsche have stated they have no intention as yet of using it on a road going version. So i guess that means the road going car will have a different system ?

Hacki · Jan 12, 2011

ORIGINAL: PhilRS

I applaud the idea of a new race car, but it does not really excite me, given the racing history of the Porsche company. Where are the equivalents of the Porsche 908, 917, 917-30, 935, 956, 962 (to name but a few), all outright winners of major races, all designed to be well-ahead of the competition.

100% agreed

RSGulp · Jan 12, 2011

ORIGINAL: Laurence Gibbs

BTW the Kers system used is a Williams F1 design i beleive. Williams are now selling the technology . Porsche have stated they have no intention as yet of using it on a road going version. So i guess that means the road going car will have a different system ?

The planned road-going 918 Spyder uses the 'other' system - energy stored in batteries then released to electric motors driving the front/rear driveshafts. I assume a road version of the 918 hardtop (if there ever is one) will use the same system as the Spyder.

The flywheel system in the 918RSR is as already used in the 911 GT3 R Hybrid.

I can understand why Phil and people on other forums have commented on it looking a bit like a cross between a Ferrari, Noble, Evora, Mc F1, [ fill in with whatever car you think it looks a bit like ].

But with wind-tunnels and aerodynamics massively influencing the design of racing car body shape, it's only natural that they eventually begin to look a little similar. There's only so many ways you can skin a cat. You only need to look at Formula 1 or LMP1 (LM prototype) race cars... with very few exceptions, if they didn't have racing liveries or manufacturers badges I think it would be extremely difficult to tell them apart.

I'm looking forward to the 918RSR racing at Le Mans. Which hopefully means Audi will go to Formula1 to compete against BMW, Merc and Renault.