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In the last article regarding the Holy Trinity we introduced the cars themselves. This article seeks to dive deeper into the power-trains and how the hybrid engines work as well as the impact of these vehicles.
So since the P1 and LaFerrari use virtually the same hybrid system that is the first one we will explore. Ferrari calls their system the “HY-KERS” system. This system uses two motors, one that is connected to the 12-cylinder engine and gearbox, and the other which is used to power the auxiliary systems of the car. It uses regenerative braking so that whenever the car brakes, kinetic energy is created from the negative torque which is used to power the battery. The light-weight components weigh 47 kg and provide power to get the car to approximately 1 kW per kg.
The McLaren P1 uses a similar system that produces 120 kW but only weighs 42 kg. Because of this the electric motor produces 4.2 kw/kg. Mclaren took the technology straight from its racing division.
Finally, the Porsche 918 and its impressive wheel hub motors. The Wheel Hub motor is actually not new technology, in fact it comes nowhere close to being new. Ferdinand Porsche created the motor in the late 1800s and it helped the Phaeton (One of Porsche’s first cars) reach a top speed of 25 km h. Flash forward 200 years and now Porsche is outfitting these motors in the new 918. They place two electric motors, one on the front axle and one on the rear one, and combined they deliver 210 kW of power.
One common trend across all three of these vehicles is the use of a regenerative braking system. Every time one of these cars brakes, this system reclaims the energy produced by the brakes and outfits them to be used in various other systems in the vehicle.
So how have these three paved the way for other hyper-car manufacturers? Well you do not need me to tell you that the car that has often been associated with the hybrid power-train is the Toyota Prius which is not the most flashy or “cool” of cars so this trinity of cars helped revitalize and polish up the image surrounding hybrid vehicles. Following the release of these three cars, many other brands followed through with their own classy hybrid vehicles, such as Acura with their revamped NSX, the already sold-out Lotus Evija, the all new Lamborghini Sian, and numerous other models. Now more than ever, we are seeing car manufacturers from all across the planet developing super-cars and hyper-cars that are either hybrid or electric.
We have compiled a fairly comprehensive list of major US automotive manufacturers and their hybrid/electric drive performance option.
Acura/Honda - NSX
Audi - e-tron GT
BMW - i8
Ford - Mach E (to some extent)
Hyundai - Prophecy EV
Mercedes-Benz - Project One
Nissan - None Yet
Porsche - Taycan
Tesla - Roadster
Toyota/Lexus - GR Super Sport
If you feel that we may have missed a major manufacturer do not hesitate to contact us!
As you can see, many of the largest automotive manufacturers have built or are in the process of building a hybrid or electric super-car or hyper-car, and the Holy Trinity paved the way for this process to happen.
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