Porsche 956 C and 919 take on the Nurburgring – Video

Killed young, the 919 Hybrid might never reach legend status alongside the likes of the 956, but that hasn't stopped Porsche rolling both cars out side-by-side.

Last week, the company used the VLN 24 Hour race to show off its now-defunct hybrid racer at a 25.2-kilometre lap around the combined Grand Prix and Nordschleife circuit.

The 919 Hybrid Evo, for those playing along at home, is a Le Mans racer without any FIA rules holding it back. Compared to the 'regular' 919 racer, the petrol engine has been boosted by around 160kW and the electric motor is up 30kW, for a combined output somewhere north of 750kW.

Along with the boosted powertrain, there's a new aerodynamics package for 53 per cent more downforce than before and 66 per cent better overall efficiency.

Getting rid of non-essential items like the air conditioning, wipers, sensors, race-control monitors and a pneumatic jack has slashed 39kg.

As for the 956 C? Well, it's a very fast beast from a very different time. It actually still holds the lap record around the Nurburgring, having lapped the famed circuit in 6:11.13 with Stefan Bellof behind the wheel in 1983.

Power comes from a turbocharged flat-six engine mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. It was piloted by Hans Stuck during its most recent outing, which is chronicled in the video above.

Check it out, and let us know what you think in the comments.

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