Citroen Motors makes rally racing relevant once again as they’ve completed testing of the first hybrid WRC rally car. Based on the hugely successful C4 platform, the cleaner version of the racer will get a 125 kW (~168 hp) electric motor to aid the default internal combustion engine. The electric motor will help the car in more ways than one. First, it adds an additional 30 Nm of torque to the rear axle. The driver can select which mode to use – electric, conventional, or a combination of both according to his power requirements. A kinetic energy recovery system also aids in stopping the car. The motor acts as a generator while braking, thus charging the 990-cell lithium-ion batteries and increasing the longevity of the brakes. During urban legs of the rally, the car can use an all-electric system, increasing the engine’s efficiency and lowering the noise created. Of course this car won’t be for sale but the data they’ll gather from the grueling conditions of a WRC rally race will no doubt be translated to everyday road cars.
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