24 Hour Le Mans win for a hybrid race car can only help EV image

[2BeLivingGreen]

The success that Audi had with their E-tron hybrid race cars winning at Le Mans this past weekend, will likely help to change the mindset of people as to how electrifying cars is the future. Hybrid race cars may become the hottest trend in auto sports, and the electric F1 class to promote the potential of electric cars too.

So Audi may have won Le Mans, but the VOLT is a winner now and in the future too.

[AZ EV Driver]

Formula 1 cars have been using a type of hybrid system for the past few (3?) years. They call it "Kinectic Energy Recovery System" or KERS, kind of a regen system used for short bursts of HP for passing, etc.

VIN # B0985

[2BeLivingGreen]

AZ EV Driver, I agree that FI has been allowing the use of the Kinetic Energy System for a few years. I think during the '10 season that no one used it and then it did come back. Outside the USA F1 is a much more followed sport.

Hopefully more people, after the Le Mans win, will be exposed to the use of hybrids in racing as Audi has a big marketing budget and they make every day driving cars. I think it will be interesting as to how they approach their recent retraction of their plans for Audi plug-in vehicles as they now have Audi fans looking towards this hybrid/electric race success as a step in the electrification of cars.

I am sure the Audi engineers and pouring through reams of data (heavy data mining for sure) after the Le Mans win as they plan to optimize the system even further in their race development plans.

[AZ EV Driver]

Honestly, I think that the technology innovation in both race cars (all series) and production consumer vehicles is higher than I can remember in a long time. Even NASCAR is using fuel injection instead of gas pumping carbs for goodness sakes.

Makes my single barrel carb 1950 Pontiac straight 8 with 6 volt electrics feel like ancient history - but I still enjoy driving it. Quite a contrast when I have the Volt parked next to it in the garage.

VIN # B0985

[baragona]

Hybrid....... The 21st century turbo....

Increased power.
Instant torque.
Improve fuel efficiency.

It's the ideal technology for endurance racing, and for city streets....