But after the FIA announced a change in the regulations for the sport prototypes, increasing the allowable displacement of up to 3 liters (and prirovnyat them to «Formula 1»), Porsche developed a completely new car — Porsche 908. The previous version of Porsche 907 was in-line 8-cylinder engine displacement of 2200 cc and a power of 270 hp New same 3-liter engine develops 350 hp already at 8400 rev / min. Technically, this engine differed from the formulaic, it was air-cooled and only 2 valves per cylinder, and because of this he lost formulary motors of 50 hp power, but it is the best match goals in endurance racing.
The original Porsche 908 was designed with a closed cockpit to reduce the drag coefficient, and for high-speed tracks like Monza, Spa and Le Mans version of «Long tail» has been created — with a long «tail», which provided a better aerodynamics and more downforce.
In 1969 came the next version — 908/2 — in the spider body that gave a significant gain in weight. He achieved not only due to the «roof of the demolished», but also because of thinner walls of the cockpit. Understated arches, modified bottom — all this makes the car so flat that he even earned the nickname «Flounder» («Flunder»). This version is also made in the variant «Long tail».
In 1970 there was a more compact 908/3 created in addition to the 917-mu heavy competition like Targa Florio, where needed light and nimble cars. Most of these cars were built based on the Porsche 934, equipped with a turbo inline-six 2.1-liter capacity and sold at a private garage.
Version «Long Tail's» was so successful that a few years later, the idea borrowed and McLaren company that created the McLaren f1 GTR long tail and the first attempt in 1995 won it the «24 Hours of Le Mans.» The meaning of «long tail» is primarily in the fact that, thanks to his car at high speed is more stable, less prowl to obtain additional aerodynamic properties thanks to the long tail of the body.
These cars are in and of themselves are a unique experience and had quite an unusual design. In addition, they have become famous thanks to his success on the track, so there is nothing surprising in principle that their story continues to haunt the minds of forcing people to return to these machines again and again.
So it was with a group of automotive designers and engineers, who decided to create a Porsche 980/4 Long Tail.
Six young people, among them Alain Deruze (for exterior designer), Marcos Beltran (designer for the exterior), Martin Peng (designer for details), Guillermo Miño (interior designer), Hassan Umutlu (designer interior) and Tom Wheatley (artist ), decided to recreate the legendary car.
«Our work is based on a desire to return to the heart of all, to create a machine that the mere sight of the cause in people a desire to get behind the wheel, and at the very thought of it in the skin you have goosebumps», — said Alain Deruze. — Forget about all this nonsense like Sequential boxes, still has not been and there is nothing better than good old «mechanics». We wanted to create a vehicle through which missed all true lovers of Porsche, a car that would be fully consistent with the main slogan of «form follows function».
The main idea was to create a modern interpretation of the 1969 Porsche 908 Long Tail. Why «long tail»? Because this item gives the car a unique look and functionality. Porsche is one of those rare brands that cherish its motorsport heritage, and know how to properly use them.
«The main challenge of the project was to work with the real proportions. We have built this car so that we could take our models and calculations and to build a real car, without changing or modifying anything. We have calculated everything visibility, interior space, landing behind the wheel, even then, what angle and how to open the door. So before you fully finished car, realized in the form of a computer. It only remains to build, „- said Deruze.
Photo: Porsche, conzeptcarz.com, from open sources
