Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo Sets New Nürburgring Record

The Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo, driven by Timo Bernhard, set a new record around the Nürburgring Nordschleife on Friday. Clocking a time of 5 minutes, 19.55 seconds, the car beat the previous record by a solid 51.58 seconds.

Until now, no one has been able to beat the time set by the Porsche 956 C more than 35 years ago. In 1983, Stefan Bellof made it around the Nordschleife with the 620-hp car in 6 minutes, 11.13 seconds.

The Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo is based on the car that reigned victorious at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2015, 2016, and 2017. Now freed from the restrictions of the WEC, Porsche could maximize the potential of this car. With a 2.0-liter turbocharged V4 engine paired to a hybrid system, the 919 Hybrid Evo delivers a total output of 1,160 hp. This power is routed through a sequential 7-speed racing gearbox.

Compared to the conventional race version, the Evo shed 86 pounds to weigh in at 1,872 pounds. This meant ripping out the A/C, windscreen wiper, light systems, and other components. Porsche also increased aerodynamics with a larger front diffuser, new rear wing, and fixed height side skirts, contributing to a 53 percent increase in downforce. Other modifications include a four-wheel brake-by wire-system and a sharpened power steering system.

Not only is the car used to winning championships, but so is the driver. Bernhard is a five-time overall winner of the 24 Hours Nürburgring, two-time outright winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and current World Endurance Champion.

During the Nürburgring record run, the Evo averaged a speed of 145.3 mph. Watch the record-breaking run in the video below.

Source: Porsche

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