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Porsche 918 RSR Hybrid Race CarThe 2011 Detroit Auto Show just kicked off with a blast as Porsche rolled out its brand new 918 RSR hybrid supercar. The racer's sexy sculpted carbon fiber exterior conceals a 563 horsepower, 10,300 rpm v8 engine coupled with two front-wheel drive electric motors for a total of <b>767 horsepower</b>. Like the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/porsche-unveils-911-hybrid-with-flywheel-speed-booster/">911 GT3 R Hybrid</a> before it, Porsche's 918 RSR features a flywheel booster system that stores energy when the vehicle breaks and then releases it in a 160hp burst of speed at the press of a button.1
Porsche 918 RSR Hybrid Race Car<a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/porsche">Porsche</a>'s new hybrid supercar takes design cues from classic racers like the 908 and the 917, fusing these classic profiles with cutting-edge hybrid technology.2
Porsche 918 RSR Hybrid Race CarThe vehicle's carbon fiber-reinforced plastic monocoque shell is emblazoned with the starting number 22, recalling the 1971 Le Mans victory of Helmut Marko and Gijs van Lennep.3
Porsche 918 RSR Hybrid Race CarAn endurance racer at heart, the 918 RSR has a clever trick up its sleeve to keep it ahead of the competition.4
Porsche 918 RSR Hybrid Race CarWhenever the vehicle breaks, a flywheel accumulator located next to the driver's seat captures and stores energy.5
Porsche 918 RSR Hybrid Race CarThis energy can then be directed to the vehicle's twin 102 hp electric motors to provide a burst of speed, allowing the vehicle to rocket ahead of other cars during critical overtaking maneuvers.6
Porsche 918 RSRPorsche also announced plans to produce diesel and hybrid versions of the Panamera this year as well as a limited number of the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/918-spyder-is-porsches-first-ever-plug-in-hybrid-electric-car/">918 Spyder</a> plug-in hybrid super sports car, making this a banner year for the luxury auto manufacturer.7
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