Say the word “hybrid” and most drivers will think of smaller, odd-looking cars along the lines of the Prius or Insight which are aimed at saving fuel and reducing emissions. The benefits of a hybrid design in a performance car have some appeal as well, but hybrid and performance aren't usually said in the same sentence.

Porsche is certainly one of the most famed marquees in sports cars and the firm is no stranger to hybrid technology. Porsche is currently putting the finishing touches on the Cayenne Hybrid SUV that uses a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 coupled with an electric motor producing an extra 50HP.

Porsche is also looking at hybrid technology for the racetrack as well with the announcement that a 911 GT3 R Hybrid will be unveiled at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show. Porsche is using hybrid technology in its all-wheel-drive racing car for a few reasons. The car is currently being prepped for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where vehicles race stopping for fuel and to switch drivers (along with any requisite repairs). The hybrid system used in the GT3 R Hybrid provides some fuel economy improvements, but Porsche is not saying exactly how much fuel it saves.

The hybrid system in the GT3 R Hybrid uses a flywheel system that harnesses kinetic energy under braking to power a pair of electric motors mounted in a single assembly. The electric motors and flywheel assembly sit where the passenger seat of a street 911 would normally reside. Power gathered by the flywheel system is sent to the front wheels and when fully charged the hybrid system can provide a 6-8 second burst of power for passing and exiting corners activated by a button on the steering wheel. The flywheel in the hybrid system will reportedly spin as fast as 40,000 rpm.

The pair of electric motors provides an additional 161 horsepower to the front wheels supplementing the 4.0-liter flat-6 that produces 480hp and sends its power to the rear wheels. Porsche is mum on performance claims for the 911 GT3 R Hybrid, but the car will appear on May 15 at the Nurburgring 24 Hours endurance race.