6. Reader Response Draft 1

Goodwin (2017) states that the 2017 Porsche 919 Hybrid is powered by an upgraded aerodynamic design and a drive system that combines a 2.0-liter turbocharged V4 internal combustion engine with an electric motor. The combination of the electric and the chemical energy provides a total output over 900 horsepower (hp). About 500 hp is from the engine from direct fuel injection, and more than 400 hp is from the energy recovery systems that stores energy in lithium-ion batteries and powers the electric motor at the front axle. It consists of (1) the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (ERS-K), which resists almost 60% of energy generated during the deceleration at the front wheel, and (2) the Heat Energy Recovery System (ERS-H), which generates electric energy by utilising the heat produced from the exhaust gases (Porsche AG, 2017). This output of more than 900 hp, and with the regulatory reasons, results in the car operating adequately under 8 megajoules energy regulations (Brownell, 2017). The same author states that the fusion of advanced hybrid technology and efficient combustion engine enables the car to emerge victorious in endurance racing, such as the 2017 World Endurance Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The Porsche 919 Hybrid LMP1’s power unit showcases the fusion of hybrid technology and combustion engine to achieve excellent efficiency, speed, and power, which allows it to excel in endurance racing.

The evolution from 2015 to 2017 highlights the pursuit to optimise hybrid technology. Every year, the internal combustion engine and the electric component were further upgraded to improve the vehicle’s power unit and its overall performance, while following to the regulatory changes and the demanding nature of endurance events.

Porsche AG (2015) states that the 2015 model was first introduced the 2.0-liter turbocharged V4 engine that helped to generate more than 500 hp to the rear axle, with a hybrid system that contributed to another 400 hp from the electric motors. It consists of (1) the Motor Generator Unit - Kinetic (MGU-K), which helped to recover energy during braking, and (2) the Motor Generator Unit - Heat (MGU-H), which provided energy from the exhaust gases that allowed the vehicle to regain energy. The energy recovery systems allowed the car to store excess energy in its liquid-cooled lithium-ion batteries, which could be deployed strategically for bursts of acceleration. The 2015 Porsche 919 Hybrid model focused mainly on the energy recovery and the strategic deployment, making the car as one of the most efficient endurance cars during that time.

In 2016, the Porsche 919 Hybrid was then having further improvement by retaining and using the exact same hybrid system layout as the foundation and enhancing almost all of the individual components, which would then eventually resulted in the vehicle to a lighter V4 internal combustion engine with the overall horsepower reduced from more than 900 hp to in between 480 hp to 495 hp due to the stricter regulations that hoped to aim for the limit fuel consumption as well as to prevent the vehicle’s speeds from escalating too dramatically (Porsche AG, 2016). In addition, the electric motor and the battery systems were upgraded to allow the vehicle for improved energy recovery and deployment. This meant that although the V4 engine produced slightly less power, the hybrid components made up for it with better efficiency, enabling the car to maintain its competitiveness in the high-stakes world of endurance racing. The 2016 Porsche 919 Hybrid model introduced three distinct aerodynamic packages for different tracks, including a high-downforce package tailored for shorter circuits.

The 2017 model had perfected the balance between the vehicle’s efficiency, speed, and its power as was previously explained in the Paragraph 1.

Throughout the three years, the Porsche 919 Hybrid saw consistent enhancements that improved its efficiency, performance, and reliability. The 2015 model introduced the advanced hybrid powertrain concept, while the 2016 model refined the vehicle with lighter components and better energy recovery. By 2017, the 919 Hybrid had evolved into one of the most dominant endurance racers, fusing combustion and electric power that was displayed in the 2017 endurance racing.

In comparison of the three years, each year's model had offered a step forward in the field of engineering, with the vehicle’s hybrid technology and the car dynamics. The 2015 version laid the foundation with its energy recovery systems, but by 2017, Porsche had perfected the balance between internal combustion engine and electric power, leading it to perform exceptionally well in endurance racing. The journey from 2015 to 2017 underscores Porsche's commitment to pushing the limits of hybrid technology in motorsport, influencing both the world of racing and the development of future road cars.

References:

Graham G. (2017). Porsche’s 2017 919 Hybrid In Detail. https://www.dailysportscar.com/2017/03/31/porsches-2017-919-hybrid-in detail.html#:~:text=The%20919%20will%20start%20again,of%20fuel%20to%20do%20so.

Porsche AG. (2017). Porsche 919 Hybrid – The Racing Lab. https://newsroom.porsche.com/en/motorsports/porsche-world-premiere-monza-919-hybrid-2017-le-mans-prototype-13583.html

Brownell, B. (2017). Porsche Officially Unveils The 919 Hybrid For 2017. The Drive. https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/8824/porsche-officially-unveil-the-919-hybrid-for-2017

Porsche AG (2015). 919 Hybrid: Even Stronger In 2015 https://newsroom.porsche.com/en/motorsports/porsche-motorsports-919-hybrid-2015-wec-le-mans-10129.html

Porsche AG (2016). World Debut for the New 919 Hybrid

https://newsroom.porsche.com/en/motorsports/porsche-919-hybrid-wec-season-2016-12380.html