PORSCHE is gearing up for next month’s 24 Hours of Le Mans by updating its 919 Hybrid racecar, which took overall victory in 2015.
This year’s more stringent Le Mans Prototype 1 (LMP1) regulations require teams to reduce the fuel flow and lower the amount of energy derived from the fuel used for each lap by 7.5 percent.
To cope with these new rules, Porsche reduced the output from the 919 Hybrid’s combustion engine from over 500bhp to less than 500bhp.
Said engine is a V4, instead of a flat-4 layout like the powerplants in the 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman models.
A V4’s advantage is that it is more compact than a flat-4. Because of this, V4s are more commonly found in motorcycles rather than cars.
The rest of the 919 Hybrid’s power comes from the energy recovered from the exhaust and the front axle’s brakes. Together, these systems deliver about 400bhp.
The 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans takes place on June 18- 19 at the Circuit de la Sarthe.
RACIER M2 COMPONENTS
BMW M2 Coupe owners who want to further enhance their car’s looks and handling can do so with the new range of M Performance parts.
Shorter stopping distances can be achieved with the sports brake pads, which also have higher fade resistance compared to the stock ones.
For greater agility, the standard coilovers can be upgraded with M Performance coilovers, which off er 12 stages of compression and 16 stages of rebound adjustment.
The M2 Coupe’s soundtrack can also be heightened with the flap-silencer system, which off ers Sport and Track modes. As its moniker implies, the latter mode is better suited to circuit use, lest it attract the authorities’ attention.
For a sportier appearance, owners can specify the M Performance bodykit and Interior Kit Carbon. The latter fills the cockpit with a blend of Alcantara and carbon fibre trimmings.
These racier M2 bits are available at Munich Automobiles.
SWEDE MODS
POLESTAR, Volvo’s in-house tuner, now offers the Complete Performance Package for the current-generation S60, V60, V40 and XC60 models.
These parts include coilovers, stainless steel exhausts, replacement air-filters and lightweight wheels measuring up to 21-inch. There are also cosmetic mods, such as spoilers and rear diffusers.
But true to Swedish culture, which isn’t known for being loud, these parts look decidedly low-key. Previously, Polestar only provided engine control unit (ECU) optimisation that boosted power and torque outputs.
So, Volvo owners who want their cars to go faster can now make them look sportier and handle better, too. Polestar components are available at Wearnes Automotive, Volvo’s official agent in Singapore.
