Hybrid World Rally Cars

[LouKayne]

Hey guys

With increasing use of hybrid technologies in all of the top levels of FIA motorsports, it is inevitable that hybrid technology will be coming to the World Rally Championship in the future.

When would you like to see electrical hybrid technology in the WRC?

How would you like to see it used?



Links To 2008 Citroen C4 WRC HYmotion4 Info/Video
Info
Video

[itix]

Since rally cars are four wheel drive unlike F1, I see more potential in a WRC hybrid as you can brake all four wheels.

As the front brakes take more of the kinetic energy it could save a lot more than in F1 I think.

It is also more Road relevant since rally is driven on actual roads.

[GigiGalliNo1]

Maybe a separate class for Hybrid in the WRC... But a lot of money would be spent on these cars that I don't think will be justified or worth while...

[Arnold Triyudho Wardono]

Mitsubishi would love this..

[Mirek]

How would You assure safety when for example a crowd of spectators come to push the car stuck in a water splash?

On circuits You have warning lights, professional stewards, separated spectators and nobody goes into half meter of water...

[Jack4688`]

How are the hybrid systems on a racing car more dangerous in a water splash situation compared to the usual electrical systems found on a car?

[Mirek]

Normal voltage in cars is 24V which is very safe level. Hybrids work with 200-800V which is completely different thing. If You are in a water and somebody send 200V in it You are going to die (without high current protection). I'm not electrician but it's a real danger which must be addressed.

[stefanvv]

Normal voltage in cars is 24V which is very safe level. Hybrids work with 200-800V which is completely different thing. If You are in a water and somebody send 200V in it You are going to die (without high current protection). I'm not electrician but it's a real danger which must be addressed.

I have high education in electrics and AFAIR voltage amount doesn't affect that much as the current amount does, but I don't know how much the electrical motors on the hybrids consume, probably significant amount. Also DC is much more dangerous than AC, so it is quite unknown situation.

[Mirek]

Thanks, for the answer. I think that the situation isn't that unknown as You can see on safety measures in F1 or Le Mans. There You have mechanics with rubber gloves, warning lights etc. It's not there for nothing so how can we bring such cars into rallying and pretend that it's all ok when the safety measures applied on circuits are not possible in rallying?

[stefanvv]

Thanks, for the answer. I think that the situation isn't that unknown as You can see on safety measures in F1 or Le Mans. There You have mechanics with rubber gloves, warning lights etc. It's not there for nothing so how can we bring such cars into rallying and pretend that it's all ok when the safety measures applied on circuits are not possible in rallying?

In unknown I should have written dangerous. In general I agree with You.