The hybrid and electrical cars will try to prove that they can be major contenders in the Le Mans 24 Hours in the future. On June 12, six special vehicles came on the 13.6-kilometre circuit to present the forthcoming alternative technologies to the 240,000 spectators of the 78th running of the 24 Hours.

In 2009 Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo was the race starter, and this year the Prancing Horse came with its new laboratory car: the Ferrari 599XX boasts the High Performance Dynamic Concept, a system guaranteeing optimised handling for the driver’s safety. Two fans are also installed to force the air under the rear diffuser to increase ground effect and grip, for the great pleasure of its driver Jean Alesi!

After coming close to the win at the Nürburgring 24 Hours, the Porsche 911-GTR Hybrid is coming to Le Mans with Marc Lieb at the wheel. It is fitted with two electrical engines on the front axle, for 160hp added during 8 secondes to the 480hp of the engine. Instead of the usual batteries, an electrical flywheel power generator fitted in the interior next to the driver delivers energy to the electric engines.

Nineteen years after its overall victory, Mazda was coming back to Le Mans with the RX-8 Hydrogen RE, with Yojiro Terada (29 Le Mans starts) at the wheel. Like the 787B, the 1991 winning car, the Japanese coupe is fitted with a rotor engine and uses an oil and hydrogen “Dual Fuel” system.

Six-time Le Mans winner Jacky Ickx was at the wheel of the Volkswagen Sirocco GT24-CNG, after his daughter Vanina took the win in the alternative-energy category af the Nürburgring 24 Hours. This gas-power and ecological (reducing emissions by 80%) car is the fastest FWD on the Nordschleife.

The Audi e-Tron was one of the great sensations of this parade, with five-time Le Mans winner Frank Biela at the wheel. This R8-like body is fitted with four electrical engines (one per wheel, for 313hp power output) on each wheel, a real 4-wheel electrical drive. The energy is stored in a lithium-ion battery which can be reloaded in six hours.

Le Mans drivers showed great interest in theses new technologies. Luc Alphand was at the wheel of the Tesla Roadster, while Franck Lagorce tested the Andros Car. But there was no snow on the race track for the BMW Concept X6 ActiveHybrid!

A regular endurance racing contender with diesel engines, Peugeot came with the RCZ Hybrid 4, fitted with 2-litre HDi engine with a 37hp electrical engine on the rear axle, so the car is converted into a 200hp 4-wheel drive, with very low consumption and CO2 emissions.

A Le Mans aficionado, Daniel Renard came with his electrical Snecma F16.