DGAP-News: Williams Grand Prix Holdings PLC : WILLIAMS HYBRID POWER CHOSEN AS SUPPLIER BY AUDI SPORT

DGAP-News: Williams Grand Prix Holdings PLC / Key word(s):
Miscellaneous
Williams Grand Prix Holdings PLC : WILLIAMS HYBRID POWER CHOSEN AS
SUPPLIER BY AUDI SPORT

01.03.2012 / 13:00

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WILLIAMS HYBRID POWER CHOSEN AS SUPPLIER BY AUDI SPORT

1st March 2012. Grove, UK. Williams Hybrid Power (WHP) is pleased to
announce an association with Audi Sport to become the hybrid system energy
storage supplier for the Audi R18 e-tron quattro. WHP–s innovative electric
flywheel will be at the heart of the Audi R18 hybrid system for the 2012 24
Hours of Le Mans race and the FIA World Endurance Championship.

For the Audi R18 e-tron quattro, WHP has designed an entirely new,
ultra-lightweight electric flywheel and associated power electronics and
the company has worked closely with Audi engineers to fully integrate its
unique electric flywheel into the car. The system will provide 150kW of
power and have a top rotor speed of 45,000 rpm. The Audi R18 e-tron quattro
using WHP–s system will make its first competitive outing in the six-hour
race at Spa-Francorchamps on 5th May.

The defining features of WHP–s flywheel made it the prime energy storage
candidate for Audi–s project when compared to other technologies such as
batteries, ultra-capacitors or mechanical flywheels. The main benefits of
the WHP system are a high power density and correspondingly low mass, high
efficiency energy transfer to and from the e-storage, the ability to
continuously deep power cycle and an insusceptibility to performance or
life degradation over a wide range of operating temperatures. In short, the
technology is perfectly suited to the high performance demands of endurance
racing.

The 24 Hours of Le Mans is recognised as the world–s oldest and highest
profile event in endurance racing and is also commonly known as the Grand
Prix of Endurance and Efficiency. Fittingly, the introduction of hybrid
systems this season brings a new element of innovation in efficiency to
top-flight endurance racing. Audi demonstrates its dedication to innovation
in recognising the potential of this technology and aiming to be the first
manufacturer to win Le Mans with a hybrid.

Ian Foley, Managing Director of Williams Hybrid Power commented, –To be
chosen as a supplier by Audi, the most successful brand in Le Mans– recent
history, is testament to the progress made by Williams Hybrid Power in its
relatively short existence. Audi has won the 24 Hours of Le Mans a total of
ten times since the year 2000 and we are incredibly proud and honoured to
have been chosen to work with them and to have our hard work and technology
recognised in this way. Such a high-level motorsport application represents
the ultimate proving ground for our electric flywheel technology. This same
technology can be used in everyday applications to save fuel and reduce
emissions, for instance in city buses, that also require large power flows
for short periods of time.–

For more information on Williams Hybrid Power please visit
www.williamshybridpower.com

Media Contact:
Claire Williams +44 (0) 7977 275808 claire.williams@williamsf1.com

End of Corporate News

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01.03.2012 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP – a
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158946 01.03.2012