Spyderidol

Don't completely write off the possibility of this car racing at Le Mans in 2011. If it happens, it will be as an invitational (issued by the ACO) entry , but will not be classified.
If it races at the 24h Nurburgring, it will fall under the Experimental class, and will therefor be classified.
Consider this car as a stepping stone towards the eventual LMP project. Porsche needed a half way point between a 997 and a LMP car to test its hybrid systems.

Spyderidol

This of course is completely true, but remember that a manufacturer has up to one year to produce a road version for homologation (as well as the required number of cars).
The problem that this car has with racing in ACO sanctioned series (ALMS and LMS and Le Mans) is that hybrids are not currently allowed in the GT classes.

ADias

It's not happening this year, but the first step has been made, and the invitational races will come and lead to full homologation. The hybrid gizmo is there for a reason... PAG knows that the eco peer pressure will bring that on, no matter how foolish or un-eco that may be, but appearances and political opportunism is all that counts. And of course, Weissach, having the talent we all know, will use the front electrical motors for torque-vectoring and maximum off-turn advantage.

DM993tt

there is an 1 entrant for alternative energy production which the GT3 H ran in, this could take its spot as the hybrid is the exact same as that car, just added to a v8 vs flat 6. I say run the reguar v8 do enough of a production run to homologate the thing and dominate GT class, but I don't see porsche trumping the 911 variants with a mid engine anytime soon. That said, with the direction the world is headed - the hybrid stuff may be the direction things are trending - and to that... Porsche is 1 step ahead of the game.

And the 918 Racer is a very sleek looking little machine. I doubt we'll see it on track till 2012 tho.

Wilder

Indeed. And if I were a betting man, I'd say classes will be evolving in no time as well to accommodate these technologies.

axhoaxho

I guess since the 918 RSR is also a KERS Hybrid like the GT3 R Hybrid, the 918 RSR can race in Le Mans in a special class of its own like the GT3 R Hybrid?

Regards,

mdeleeuw

http://www.clickondetroit.com/video/26424745/index.html

Apologies if this has been posted already, but I did not see it in this thread. Appears to be a complete video of the 918 RSR launch and announcements at the show with commentary by Mattias Mueller CEO Porsche. Some interesting highlights:

Durheimer moves to Chairman of Bentley/Bugatti and heads all motorsport activities for VW group.

Hatz(?) from VW takes his place and retains responsibility for drivetrain development at VW(!)

Clear references to LeMans - even the 22 number and 918 styling borrowed from the 917 which was Porsche's first outright win 40 years ago this year.

Panamera diesel and hybrid due this year, and serious consideration for a baby SUV under the Cayenne.

Also, "a few surprises up our sleeves when it comes to our sportscars"

Worthwhile watching. Should be very interesting to see how Porsche evolves since they are clearly integrating the business into the VW group.

Mike

beowulf

If the current GT3 series has rear seats deleted from the factory and owners of these cars don't
care about rear seats, why not simply convert the GT3's into mid engine 911's. Maybe even with V8.
Homologation would be simple.
Base 991's might offer rear engine Flat 6 and more luxury/convenience with rear seats.
GT3 type 991's could be mid engine V8 and track oriented.
I'm just "thinking out loud" and my speculation may appear sophomoric to the cognoscenti here.........

ADias

You may get your wish. The 991 WB is longer than Cayman's. I, for one, do not want a 911 mid-engine. It may look like a 911 but it isn't one. Even less with a V8.

cbzzoom

The current GT3 RSR race car already has the engine moved forward (vs. the GT3 street car). With the really wide track being used now, the old reason for hanging the engine out the back doesn't exist anymore - the engine fits between the rear wheels.

Also, people are going to put V8's in 911's whether Porsche does it not

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/conver...much-done.html

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/conver...ersion-16.html

Spyderidol

The current GT3 RSR race car has its engine in exactly the same place as the GT3 street car.

ritzblitz

I want to hear this.

ADias

Of course it is. The misinformation on the Net is rampant.

ADias

And the diff is built right in and traversing the 'engine between the rear wheels'... and pigs fly.

I wonder why avowed 911 fans dismiss so quickly the all-in-the rear 911 experience. Don't they appreciate the hallmark 911 experience all-along?

tetzlafh

I agree. I don't see why there is so many connections with the 918 setup being the direct replacement for the 911 series cars. The 918's estimated price is far above the CGT's original price right?