I'm Just Going To Say It!!!

"Wobbles the Mind" (wobblesthemind)
07/05/2016 at 10:51 • Filed to: Hyper Trinity

I still think these three cars didn’t need the hybrid technology AT ALL! In fact, I think they were held back by the tech and development and as time goes on we are all going to see that this is true. Electric motors don’t have the top end power, they add weight, and they add mass to the design.

The 918 has a naturally-aspirated 4.6L V8 pumping out 608 hp. The P1 has a twin-turbocharged 3.8L V8 making 727 hp when boost is at 35 psi. LaFerrari has a naturally-aspirated 6.3L V12 that will scream 789 hp without a care. Aston Martin has a new naturally aspirated 7.0L V12 that makes 800 hp inside of it’s Vulcan track blaster, which is up from the 750 hp, 7.3L V12 that the One-77 was running. All these engines (excluding the McLaren) have obvious room for improvement without ever touching a motor.

Now I know what you’re thinking, “But what about the torques?! You’re missing torques!! Won’t somebody please think of the torques!!!” Why would you need 700 lb-ft @ 1,500 rpm in a vehicle that weighs 3,100 lbs after the driver and fluids are all inside it? For 0-60 mph and 0-100 mph sprints? You know that these are track cars, let them be track cars. When are you in 1st gear and being timed from 0 mph on the track? You aren’t even using the electric motors by the time you’re at 6,000 rpm and still have another third of your rev range to go.

All I’m saying is don’t be surprised when you see two types of hypercars going forward. First you’ll have the all-engine, featherweight, F1 racing pods with some fenders, streetable track weapons that strive towards a 1 hp per 1 kg power-to-weight ratio (that is 2.2 lbs/hp in US metrics). Secondly you’ll have the heavy (3,500 lbs and up), luxurious, blindingly fast, ultra grippy, expensive grand touring hypercars that utilize electric motors in order to manage the weight at low speeds and get an EPA rating of higher than 9 mpg in the city. Not saying these won’t put down incredible times, but they won’t be the same type of “hypercars” we will be seeing next. The difference is GT3 RS v. Turbo S but taken far further. You’ll end up with products that are track vehicles for the street which will start off cheaper but appreciate more. Then you’ll have street vehicles that are made for the track and will start off more expensive and will not command the same percentage of appreciation.

Then to top it off, there will always be an edition of those hyper track GTs which will be the lightweight versions with the electric motors taken out. Excuse the pieces of brain on the floor, they’re mine and I may need to use them one day.

DISCUSSION (9)

Textured Soy Protein > Wobbles the Mind
07/05/2016 at 10:57

These aren’t track cars, they’re very expensive playthings for very rich people. Nobody is like, “I’m gonna totally destroy my SCCA club racing class with my new Porsche 918.”

Thomas Donohue > Wobbles the Mind
07/05/2016 at 11:02

I think, at least in the case of the 918, that the electric motors give you the AWD and cornering benefits that really improve its all around performance. Not to mention improved drive-ability for a ‘street’ car.

Did they need to be hybrid? No. But they also don’t need to exist in the first place. I’m just glad they do, as a production hyper-hybrid can only mean better things down the road.

Wobbles the Mind > Textured Soy Protein
07/05/2016 at 11:03

That’s true about all production cars including GT3 RS and 675LT owners. Hell, this couple owns over 80 Dodge Vipers and I don’t see any lap times!

Kinja'd!!!

Wobbles the Mind > Thomas Donohue
07/05/2016 at 11:10

I don’t know, I look at what the ACR can do with downforce and think we can make it without motors rotating the wheels in the opposite direction. I hear about the comfort levels of the GT3 RS and 675LT and think the seem to offer more while still giving the same excitement as their big brothers. A great engine is efficient when not in use and can drain the tank in 7 minutes when in full use, which is the same thing I expect in all electric vehicles anyways. Either go zero emissions, or control emissions, not this flip-floppy stuff right now. Just until the electric game is caught up to the performance game completely, we’re almost there.

GE90man > Wobbles the Mind
07/05/2016 at 11:19

prius dirvers: “IT’S ALL FOR THE FUEL EFFICIENCY! HYBRIDS FOR THE WIN”

Thomas Donohue > Wobbles the Mind
07/05/2016 at 11:22

Hopefully the upcoming Porsche 960 will be a 918 without the voltage bits.

Though we may have to wait for the 960R, or 960 GT3, or 960 GT3RS, etc, before we get closer to hypercar performance.

StingrayJake > Wobbles the Mind
07/05/2016 at 11:45

I think the hybrid onslaut is setting the stage for the all-electric supercar (and of course all-electric everything... It’s inevitable that dino guzzlers will go the way of the dinosaurs). This won’t be a 3D TV sets moment in history. It’ll be a motorized transportation over literal horse power kind of moment.

While I’d like to believe bonkers gas-burning track-only vehicles will continue on, I don’t believe for a moment that they won’t one day be outlawed.

RT > Wobbles the Mind
07/05/2016 at 11:56

I agree with what you’re saying.

Though you could argue that these three cars were meant to showcase the technology they used. The fact that it could’ve been done more efficiently is true, but it was not the focus of these cars after all.

camarov6rs > Wobbles the Mind
07/05/2016 at 12:00

To me this category isn't about if they needed it it was more about what else can we do? These cars are meant to be the bleeding edge of what manufacturers are capable of. Big motor, big tire, big downforce...a Dodge can do that! They needed these things to be different not the same but better like everyone else is doing at the moment.