VIDEO: Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid Runs the Nurburgring

At CarThrottle we love fast cars, and there is going to be a whole lot of them on display at the 24 hours ADAC Nürburgring endurance race (now in its 38th year). It takes place on May 15-16th and Porsche is getting ready for it.

The Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid has a unique powertrain - definitely not a conventional hybrid. There is, of course, the usual Porsche rear engined setup, with a 480-horsepower 4.0-liter flat-six.

This time though, it works in concert with two electric motors that power the front wheels as well, becoming an all-wheel drive system.

What sets the 911 GT3 R Hybrid apart is the way electric power in the car is utilized. With the advantage of being a one-seat race car, the passenger seat area is made to house a flywheel. It is designed to harnesses the large amounts of energy the 911 GT3 R creates during braking.

It can spin at over 40,000 rpm. Once there is a certain amount of electric energy is stored,  over 120 kilowatts – about 160 horsepower – is available to the driver in six to eight second boosts.

A button mounted on the steering wheel activates the system. This is our kind of hybrid! The 911 GT3 R is running the 'Ring getting ready for the race with AT&T Williams Formula 1 pilot Nico Hülkenberg at the helm.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_2elYiycJo&feature=player_embedded#!