Porsche Reveals First Photos of 919 Hybrid Combustion Engine

Photo: Porsche

Porsche has revealed the first detailed photos of its engine that powers its 919 Hybrid LMP1 contender.

The two-liter V4 turbo engine, which took the German manufacturer to overall victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the FIA World Endurance Championship, is considered Porsche’s most efficient combustion engine it has built.

Combined with the two energy recovery systems (KERS and exhaust), the 919 Hybrid’s powertrain produces in excess of 900 horsepower, with nearly 500 coming from the compact combustion engine alone.

“Right from the beginning we had a brave concept, but it was also the right concept. This is paying off now,” said Porsche LMP1 technical director Alex Hitzinger.

Hitzinger said the support from Porsche’s engineers on the production side has also been valuable in the development of its V4 powerplant. “They support us significantly in the areas of combustion development and fuel-mixture generation,” he added.

Porsche heads into the 2016 FIA World Endurance Championship season as defending World Champions, with the Brendon Hartley, Timo Bernhard and Mark Webber-driven car carrying the No. 1 numberplate.

The team has continued extensive pre-season testing with a revised version of the 919 Hybrid, featuring primarily aero and minor mechanical updates, unlike the all-new LMP1 cars from Audi and Toyota.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John