After months of testing and images of the car in camouflage paintwork, the brand new Porsche 919 hybrid was unveiled to the world this morning at the Geneva International Motor Show. However a website in the Netherlands leaked the images via social media prior to its official unveiling.
The car's conservative livery boasts little sponsorship cladding and features an “art car”-style theme. Viewed from above, the
livery reads partially, "Porsche Intelligent
Performance," a nod to the car's "green" powertrain and relative efficiency.
The 919 Hybrid is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged direct-injection V4 engine, Porsche confirmed previously. The energy-storage system for the 919's hybrid systems is a lithium-ion battery pack. Porsche also confirmed that it plans to run in the highest category of hybrid power discharge, 8 megajoules per lap at Le Mans.
As Porsche rejoined the world motorspo stage at the highest level, the LMP1 prototype will be accompanied by the new Porsche 911 RSR, another world premiere. Other vehicles making their debut include the Macan S Diesel and 911 Targa production models.
The 919 Hybrid is the most complex race car that Porsche ever put on wheels. It benefits from the know-how that Porsche acquired in producing the 918 Spyder super sports car as well as the hybridised production versions of the Panamera and Cayenne. At the sametime, the LMP1 racer – as a unique test laboratory that is subjected to the unrivalled innovative and competitive pressures of motorsport – has maximum relevance when it comes to the future of sports cars.
In addition to the 919, the wraps also came off the 2014 911 RSR which will challenge for the LMGTE World Manufacturers Cup this season.
Both cars will be attending 'The Prologue' at Le Castellet on the 28/29 March and the public will get their first opportunity to see the 919 Hybrid in action on Saturday 29 March when it will be on track at Paul Ricard alongside the Audi R18 e-tron quattro and the Toyota TS040 hybrid.
Porsche 919 Breaks Convention in Geneva