Hybrid 911? Anybody see this?

[fanaudical]

Thanks for the detailed reply, Chuck. I agree with Matt - ******* cool!

[Chuck Moreland]

We will be giving a presentation on the Vonnen performance hybrid system this weekend at the PCA Tech Tactics West event. Saturday and Sunday 12/1, 12/2. A Vonnen 991 will be on display.

This is a cool event and there are a number of other interesting speakers as well, including Chief Engineer of the 919 Hybrid EVO, Stephen Mitas

This event requires registration, and the official page indicates it is closed. However my understanding is there are some seats open so if anyone wants to attend contact me and I will help you find the back-door registration process.

https://www.pca.org/event/2018-08-22/tech-tactics-west-2018

This event will be held at the Porsche Training facility in Eastvale, California (Los Angeles area)

[75 911s]

wow what a great way to give an old car incredible pep and still rock a cool flat six. You just can't beat that electric torque. Wish I could go to that PCA event, but I'm not local. Looking forward to seeing more of the demo cars. Anyone got photos or video of them in action?

[Cory M]

On the Gulf livery car at Rennsport it looked like the system was just sitting on the shelf and was not connected to anything. Interesting technology, would love to see some independent driving video comparisons/impressions vs stock cars.

[Chuck Moreland]

The Gulf car at Rennsport was a mock up display and not a functioning conversion. We put it out to gauge interest from the air cooled guys. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and we are moving ahead with that development. We will have air cooled product in 2019.

The 991 series system is functional, driving and near-ready. We will be driving to, and at, the Tech Tactics event.

We still have a bit of work to do on the user interface, optimization to get the last bit of power, and other details. I will be able to show you some cool stuff, video, dyno pulls etc in the next couple weeks.

In the mean time here are a couple pics.


The Motor Generator Unit MGU - fits between engine and trans


Liquid cooled battery module


Custom clutch pack for manual cars


Some fast cars

[Tremelune]

This is fascinating stuff! Extra torque from stop with no emissions hassles. Very cool that it can be fitted to our air-cooled cars. I like the Shadow Drive name...

Vonnen - Performance Hybrid Technology For Porsche Cars

What, ah...What's involved in the $75,000 "dealer" installation?

[minoclan]

Hi Chuck. I just picked up my AMG E53. I think that I have the same system (not brand) in my car. Seamless power. Amazing stuff.

[Hi_Fi_Guy]

My neighbor got to drive one of the Vonnen equipped cars at PCA Tech Tactics. He was blown away. The price point is probably too high for most but the results are certainly there.

[Driven97]

Originally Posted by minoclan

Hi Chuck. I just picked up my AMG E53. I think that I have the same system (not brand) in my car. Seamless power. Amazing stuff.

E53 has a turbo, an electric supercharger, AND a pancake motor. It's nuts. The electric motor in the NB system only has 21hp by itself, but 124 lbft to fill the very bottom end. Can't imagine how much time went into the ECU maps.

Chuck, how much capacity does the battery have? I assume it's plug-in? System looks extremely well thought out. Good luck with the new company!

[realgren]

Originally Posted by Tremelune

This is fascinating stuff! Extra torque from stop with no emissions hassles. Very cool that it can be fitted to our air-cooled cars. I like the Shadow Drive name...

Vonnen - Performance Hybrid Technology For Porsche Cars

What, ah...What's involved in the $75,000 "dealer" installation?

Maybe the comma is in the wrong location?

[Flynt]

What would it cost if you dropped your car off with your favorite mechanic and said gimmie 175 more HP? Would your car still pass smog? Would mileage or reliability suffer?
Edited to add some clarity - I don't think 75k is unreasonable for a clean and efficient 175hp bump. A "checkbook builder" would have a hard time getting that big an increase in power for that price with all the benefits this Vonnen setup sounds like it provides.

No affiliation with Vonnen. Just a tree-hugging Porsche nerd who loves seeing my favorite cars being updated in new and innovative ways.

[Tremelune]

A motor swap or slapping on a turbo isn't possible in California while passing (although for $75k you could buy a studio in Nevada, or pay many, many dubious smog shops year after year, so)...It also lacks instant-from-zero power that an electric motor has...

I guess you could put an E-ROD LS in for half that money and still have it be smog legal, but Porsche volk tend to freak out about Chevy engine swaps due to an increasingly absurd brand loyalty.

But yeah, that price tag, eh? I do wonder what the market is. I just love the concept of an inline electric motor between the ICE and transmission.

[Driven97]

To be fair, I don't think we're the target market. Definitely going after dot com hipsters and their IPO money.

[Lyle O]

Just wondering how much weight all of this hardware adds (including fluids)...

[Tremelune]

Site says 120 pounds, most in the front bumper, some behind the rear axle...

I wonder how space between the motor and transmission is made...

[Sailkane]

Chuck if you need a donor 911 SC for the test on an air cooled car mines ready. Already complete Elephant Suspension and street/ Autocross ready!

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by Driven97

To be fair, I don't think we're the target market. Definitely going after dot com hipsters and their IPO money.

Yea, I agree.

I can just sell my 911, and take that money and 75 grand and buy a new 911 with brakes, and suspension and all the other things that are needed with more HP.

[RWebb]

I'm glad Chuck is doing this. Eventually, the price will come down.

and it would make a killer 912 with a Polo motor...

[Geronimo]

Cool tech, insane price point... just doesn't make any sense at that price.