Porsche Sets Nurburgring Record

Porsche factory driver Timo Bernhard has lapped the 20.832-km (12.94 miles) Nurburgring Nordschleife race circuit in a record setting 5 minutes and 19.55 seconds.

This results in an average speed of 233.8 km/h (145.3 mph) on what is revered by race drivers, engineers and enthusiasts alike as the world’s most difficult track.

Driving the Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo, Bernhard beat the previous lap record, set by Stefan Bellof, by 51.58 seconds.

For 35 years and 31 days Bellof’s 6:11.13 minutes record remained uncontested. He drove his record on May 28 in 1983 at the wheel of a powerful 620 hp Rothmans Porsche 956 C during practice for the 1000-kilometre WEC sports car race. The Evo version of the Porsche 919 Hybrid is based on the car that took outright victory at the Le Mans 24-Hours and won the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2015, 2016 and 2017.

Over the winter, it was freed from some restrictions hitherto determined by the regulations.

Thus, its hybrid power train now develops a system output of 1160 hp. The Evo weighs only 849 kg and its modified (and now active) aerodynamics generate over 50 per cent more downforce compared to the WEC model.



Top speed at the Nurburgring was 369.4 km/h (229.5 mph).

The 919 is powered by a compact two-litre turbo charged V4-cylinder engine and two energy recovery systems – brake energy from the front axle combined with exhaust energy.

The combustion engine drives the rear axle while the electro motor boosts the front axle to accelerate the car with four-wheel drive.

At the same time it recuperates energy from the exhaust system that otherwise would pass unused in to the atmosphere.

The electrical energy that comes from the front brakes and the exhaust system is temporarily stored in a liquid-cooled lithium ion battery.
To help further expand the performance envelope, the Evo gained a four-wheel brake-by-wire system to provide additional dynamic yaw control.

Furthermore, the power steering was adapted for the higher loads and stronger suspension wishbones (front and rear) were designed.

Compared to the car in conventional race trim, the dry weight was reduced by 39 kg to 849 kg.

To achieve this, air-conditioning, windscreen wiper, several sensors, electronic devices from race control, lights systems and the pneumatic jack system were removed. Michelin developed special tire compounds for the 919 Evo that produces more downforce than a Formula 1 car.



Follow Wheels.ca on

Facebook

Instagram #wheelsca

Twitter