Former Formula One driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen and car firm Gumpert are to enter a hybrid electric 'supercar' into this year's Nurburgring 24-hour race at the end of May.

The 'Apollo' vehicle will use a 3.3l V8 bi-turbo petrol power-plant with a 100kW electric motor.

Developed by Lithium Technology Corporation, the vehicle's 9kWh GAIA battery comprises 90 high-power 27Ah cells connected in series and will weigh about 190 kilograms.

The battery will include an advanced management system that will transmit performance data via satellite.

The battery will be charged prior to the race and recoup energy from braking in a mode that resembles a plug-in hybrid electric operation vehicle. The electric range of the vehicle will be 50km and plans are to double it in the near future.

"Motor sports cannot ignore the necessity to save energy. I see a chance that our sport will go back to the forefront of technical development, making cars outside of the racetrack much more energy efficient," said Frentzen.

Klaus Brandt, chief executive at Lithium Technology Corporation, added: "We believe that racing plays a significant role in pioneering the use of new technologies, such as lithium ion batteries."