It only took two seasons for Porsche to take victories at Le Mans and the WEC, throwing the “three years to win Le Mans” estimate out of the window. Porsche Made a big step from 2014 to 2015 with its 919 Hybrid, but the bridge from 2015 to 2016 has been more about efficiency over huge upgrade packages, as seen from its fellow German and Japanese rivals. The new 919 debut at Paul Ricard in late May, where the car ran it’s 2015 aerodynamic packages, albeit which have been developed over the winter slightly.
This, in theory, sums up the new 919 Hybrid, which is using the 2015 chassis also. Porsche claim it’s a big ‘evolution’ than a ‘revolution’, with the key issues from 2015 all being addressed with its third generation of hybrid LMP car. I look under the skin of its all new racecar.
Chassis
Starting off with the chassis, which Porsche has opted to use it’s 2015 design for 2016. But in 2016, Porsche has been able to refine it in several areas. While at first glance, the fully Carbon fiber monocoque looks the same under the composite panels, there has been much change. One key area Porsche had to work on was weight savings, with changes coming to engine subframe and cockpit. Lots of weight was taken out of the cockpit, where the Lithium batteries are, which has freed up a lot of space also.
The one-piece monocoque also acts as a hybrid chassis, with the transmission and engine holding the floor and rear together. This, therefore, meant Porsche saved a lot in weight, with additional help from Capricorn Composite GmbH (of which Porsche bought a 25% stake last year) who changed the weave of the Carbon for some added extra stiffness with less being used up in the process also. Revisions were also made to the engine block to aid installation stiffness as it is a semi-stressed member, in addition to the tub changes upfront which houses the iconic suspension.
Due to new regulation changes, part of the chassis had to be adopted also. The front and rear fenders see bigger pressure relief holes, which free up air that builds under the wheel arch. But this is the same for all the LMP1 cars. Porsche has changed the height for the fender to sit lower also, for better aerodynamics.
It is very likely that Porsche will run an all new chassis for 2017 while the team waits for the big regulation changes for that year. Seidl claimed that “there is no point wasting resources with no regulation changes, which is why we will review all or our options, and wait until 2017. The current car may look the same, but we have changed a lot here”. Porsche is to start the design process of its 2017 car in the upcoming months.