New and Improved Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid

Just the Facts:

Porsche said its goal with "Version 2.0" of its hybrid endurance racer was "to achieve the same lap

 times as its predecessor, but with less consumption."

The new car's twin electric motors make more power.

The 2011 model will debut in late June at the Nurburgring 24 hour race.

Porsche said the so-called Version 2.0 of its 911 GT3 R Hybrid racecar is lighter, with more electric power, but the car consumes less fuel while achieving lap times similar to those of its predecessor. The latest edition of the Porsche endurance racer will make its debut in late June at the Nurburgring 24-hour race.

Porsche said it its hybrid system weighs 20 percent less and is more efficient than last year's 911 GT3 R Hybrid, which was unveiled at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show and made its racing debut last June at the Nurburgring.

 Output of the twin electric motors, which are connected to the front axle, has been boosted from 60 to 75 kW (100 horsepower) each. That extra 200 hp is available in short bursts, via the throttle pedal, to supplement the 470-hp 4.0-liter flat-6 engine in the rear.

The hybrid's electric flywheel accumulator, which stores kinetic energy, is now housed in a carbon-fiber safety cell on the passenger side.

Porsche has revised the exterior, eliminating the oversize cooling louvers in the rear fenders, while trimming the car's weight by 110 pounds, to 2,865 pounds.

 The cabin has been overhauled as well, with many of the controls and displays moved to the steering wheel and additional functions being operated by backlit buttons on the center console.

"The emphasis of our work was on improving efficiency," said Hartmut Kristen, head of Porsche Motorsport. "That means we want to keep the lap times consistent with 2010, but use less energy, hence less fuel. In this way, we support future developments of road-going, sporting hybrid vehicles."