2006 Vemac RD408-H
September 25th 2006-With Audi’s recent diesel victory, it seems like 2005 may have been the last gasoline-powered win at LeMans. This observation is even further reinforced with the introduction of the Vemac RD408-H, one of the world’s first hybrid racing cars.
What makes the RD408-H interesting is its hybrid electric/gasoline engine which was developed by Tokyo R&D. It mates the current Mugen MF408S V8 to twin Pues liquid-cooled, direct current, electric engines. These form a compact unit that is sandwitched between the V8 and upgraded transmission. As a result, the V8’s power is doubled and the available torque rasies to 686 ft lbs (930 nm)!@
The first car to be equipped with a Mugen hybrid engine is a Vemac RD408 which might contest the upcoming 2007 season of the GT300 category in Japan’s Super GT series, that is, if the officials let it pass scrutinizing. Four similar Tokyo R&D Vemacs have raced the series for the last two years, albeit with the standard MF408S engine and the CB32 inline-6 from the Acura NSX.
While Zytek paved the way with their Panoz NiMH hybrid in 1998, Tokyo R&D’s new engine might have the initial success needed to motivate future development. Maybe we will see a hybrid Honda sports racing prototype sooner than we thought.
In Detail
| type | Racing Car |
| built at | Japan |
| production | 1 |
| engine | Mugen V8 w/Twin Pues Electric Engines |
| position | Mid Longitudinal |
| aspiration | Natural |
| fuel feed | Direct Injection |
| displacement | 4000 cc / 244.1 in³ |
| power | 596.6 kw / 800 bhp |
| specific output | 200.0 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 680.85 bhp per tonne |
| torque | 930 nm / 685.9 ft lbs |
| driven wheels | RWD |
| front tires | 330/680-18 |
| rear tires | 330/710-18 |
| curb weight | 1175 kg / 2590 lbs |
| length | 4610 mm / 181.5 in |
| width | 1995 mm / 78.5 in |
| transmission | X-Trac |
Above Images ©IMAGE CREDITS – Akio Katouno
