[WEC] Porsche Prototype Discussion

[Maelochs]

With the budget and engineering experience of VAG on tap, I am sure Porsche "could" have opted for turbine power, or rockets, or anything else. I would imagine that VAG wanted to showcase two different technologies, and that Porsche wanted to stick with the petrol power it uses across its line, but as for options ...

[deggis]

I think the Paul Ricard test video lowered the chances of that to very low.

[Spyderman]

Originally Posted by MyNameIsNigel

I know that this is "silly" at first sight and totally inconsistent with the "official" announcements made so far by Porsche representatives, but I am hearing (again and again...) that Porsche "could" have opted for diesel power...

I sincerely doubt that this is the case. If this "rumour" is true, however, this would definitely surprise a few...

Don't shoot me, I am just raising the silly-or-not-so-silly question again

If that were true then it would go against the wishes of Mr. Piech.

[Gingers4Justice]

It doesn't sound like a diesel in any video I've seen.

[Richard C]

When the mystery of the engine is eventually resolved, what will we talk about next!

Seriously, I am somewhat expecting that beyond the unknown configuration (straight, vee, gas, diesel, displacement, etc.), I wonder if they have some other unique feature (something that runs counter to conventional thinking) up their sleeve?

Richard

[The Badger]

Originally Posted by MyNameIsNigel

but I am hearing (again and again...) that Porsche "could" have opted for diesel power...

Hey , that's blasphemy !!!

Who is saying that its a diesel ? its a small 4L engine ..... with what I hear has 2 separate recovery systems , 1 on braking and 1 linked somehow to the turbo's .

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by MyNameIsNigel

A video of the Porsche LMP1 at Paul Ricard

Unfortunately that link doesn't work anymore.

[deggis]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

Unfortunately that link doesn't work anymore.

Fortunately I saved it:

[PointDSM]

Was that a BOV? Sweet!

[TF110]

Yep, "give a little whistle" said Jiminy Cricket.

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by deggis

Fortunately I saved it:

Terrific. Thanks a lot for that. I love a whistle too!

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by deggis

Fortunately I saved it:

Cool, thanks. It's certainly an interesting sounding engine.

[Canada ALMS fan]

Can't believe no one has mentioned it yet but apparently they burnt a car to the ground at the Ricard test. Hindy cites multiple sources.

[vincegail]

Tesla's suffering from fires lately too. Hope the Porsche fire doesn't have anything to do with the hybrid systems.

[MyNameIsNigel]

Originally Posted by Canada ALMS fan

Can't believe no one has mentioned it yet but apparently they burnt a car to the ground at the Ricard test. Hindy cites multiple sources.

I heard that it caught fire in at least two occasions. It apparently gets pretty hot at the back. That it actually burned to the ground is news to me.

[GT6]

I think the reports of cars self combusting are a little worrying lets hope they have not made an error in the designed and sort it out before racing it in anger

[TF110]

Wonder if this has to do with the energy recovery system on the exhaust side?

[The Badger]

If its gonta sound like that , I'd burn it to the ground too !!!

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by The Badger

If its gonta sound like that , I'd burn it to the ground too !!!

[isynge]

Originally Posted by GT6

I think the reports of cars self combusting are a little worrying lets hope they have not made an error in the designed and sort it out before racing it in anger

I quite like the idea that someone pushes the design envelope so failures happen. It makes for a more spectacular car and interesting races. If we end up with a magnificently fast but potentially unreliable Porsche going up against a bullet proof but somewhat slower Audi and Toyota somewhere in the middle we're surely in for an utterly absorbing 2014.

[JoestForEver]

Worring though since Porsche never made a hybrid system in house before but all of a sudden they are trying to do so. Thinking there might be problem with oil pipes I suppose... or the same reason as a R8 V12 TDi burnt down at the Nordschleife

[CyberMotor]

Interesting report about Porsche's return... http://www.moneycontrol.com/video/sp...ng_986147.html

[Spyderman]

Originally Posted by JoestForEver

Worring though since Porsche never made a hybrid system in house before but all of a sudden they are trying to do so. Thinking there might be problem with oil pipes I suppose... or the same reason as a R8 V12 TDi burnt down at the Nordschleife

918

[MyNameIsNigel]

Originally Posted by Canada ALMS fan

Can't believe no one has mentioned it yet but apparently they burnt a car to the ground at the Ricard test. Hindy cites multiple sources.

So, it would indeed seem that one Porsche LMP1 car did "burn to the ground" during the latest tests at Paul Ricard. The damage sustained and/or the cause was/were apparently severe enough to force Porsche to cancel their planed endurance test at Sebring. I do wonder if this was the only chassis available for testing or whether Porsche have a backup chassis that they can still use for testing purposes.

This is not good news for Porsche and their preparation does not seem to run very smoothly, but they are likely working flat out to solve the issue(s).

One has to admit that Porsche are relatively good at hiding the whole story from the media as hardly anything has transpired except for Hindy's brief comment during the latest episode of Midweek Motorsport. Thanks Hindy and Canada ALMS fan for pointing this out

[deggis]

Originally Posted by CyberMotor

Interesting report about Porsche's return... http://www.moneycontrol.com/video/sp...ng_986147.html

Same event:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZZKGDNHJlk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFKGpIjMfX0