Porsche and race-car driver Timo Bernhard just used the 919 Hybrid to decimate Stefan Bellof’s Nurburgring lap record by 51.58 seconds, at a total time of 5 minutes and 19.55 seconds with an average speed of 145.3 mph. Bellof set his long-standing record way back on May 28, 1983, running a lap of 6:11.13 in a Porsche 956 C. That record has been uncontested since, and this record, sitting at just a hair over five minutes will likely survive for just as long, if not longer.

“This is a great moment for me and for the entire team – the 919 programme’s icing on the cake. The Evo was perfectly prepared, and I have done my best on this lap. Thanks to the aerodynamic downforce, at sections I never imagined you can stay on full throttle. I’m pretty familiar with the Nordschleife. But today I got to learn it in a new way,” said Bernhard.

To make things even better, Bernhard paid his respects to Bellof by saying that he “remains a giant” and that his “respect for his achievement with the technology back then has increased even more.” Talk about destroying a record and doing it with class.

To prepare for the record-breaking run, Porsche did make some changes to the 919 Hybrid EVO, but there are not as many changes as you think. It ran in 2018 WEC race spec, even though it was withdrawn prior to the start of the season. As such, the engine and driveline remained unchanged. It carried over with the same 2.0-liter V-4 engine and two different recovery systems. Running on regular E20 race fuel, the EVO delivers a total of 720 horsepower. Where changes really came into play was with aerodynamics. To prepare for the run, Porsche added a larger front diffuser and a new larger rear wing. Porsche even optimized the turning vanes on the bellow pan. All told, and compared to the 2017 Spa WEC qualifying run, the EVO ended up with 53-percent more downforce. Efficiency was also increased by 66 percent.

Of course, braking is important as well, so the EVO was fitted with a four-wheel brake-by-wire system, revised power steering system, and strong suspension wishbones. Dry weight was reduced by more than 70 pounds thanks to the removal of things like windshield wipers, air conditioning, light systems, and some other electronic devices.

Technical specifications Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo - (919 Hybrid WEC)

Monocoque:

Composite material structure consisting of carbon fiber with an aluminum honeycomb core. The cockpit is closed.

Combustion engine:

V4 engine (90-degree cylinder bank angle), turbocharged, 4 valves per cylinder, DOHC, 1 Garrett turbocharger, direct petrol injection, fully load-bearing aluminum cylinder crankcase, dry sump lubrication
Max. engine speed: ≈ 9,000/min

Engine management:

Bosch MS5

Displacement:

2,000 cm3 (V4 engine)

Output:

Combustion engine: 720 hp, rear axle (< 500 PS) MGU: 440 hp, front axle (> 400 PS)

Hybrid system:

KERS with a motor generator unit (MGU) mounted on the front axle; ERS for recuperation of energy from exhaust gases. Energy storage in a liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery with cells from A123

Systems Drive system:

Rear-wheel drive, traction control (ASR), temporary all-wheel drive at the front axle via the electric motor when boosted, hydraulically operated sequential 7-speed racing gearbox

Chassis:

Independent front and rear wheel suspension, push-rod layout with adjustable dampers and Pitch Link System with actively controlled lockout system (no actively controlled lockout system in the 919 WEC version)

Brake system:

4-wheel brake-by-wire system (front-rear brake-by-wire system), monoblock light alloy brake calipers, ventilated carbon fiber brake discs front and rear. Variable control of wheel torques to optimize the car balance (variable control of torque distribution front to rear)

Wheels and tires:

Forged magnesium wheel rims from BBS; Michelin Radial tires, front and rear: 310/710-18 Weight: 849 kg (888 kg including driver ballast)

Length:

5,078 mm (4,650 mm)

Width:

1,900 mm

Height:

1,050 mm

Fuel tank capacity:

62.3 liters


Further reading

Read our full review on the 2018 Porsche 919 Hybrid

Read more Porsche news.