Porsche 918 Spyder, a high-performance hybrid
918 cars built in 21 months, only 21 sold in France with a third of the production heading for the USA. Despite its competitive price, much lower than those posted by LaFerrari and the McLaren P1, it bears comparison in both technical and esthetic terms.
The 918 Spyder twins a very efficient V8 4.6-litre combustion engine with two electric motors positioned at the front of the rear axle and to the rear of the front axle, capable of delivering combined power of 887 hp. The liquid-cooled lithium-ion traction battery has been specifically developed for the 918 Spyder. It takes less than two hours to recharge the car using an industrial power outlet. Thanks to smart control of the generator and classic braking system, this 4-wheel drive vehicle can convert much more kinetic energy into electrical power than other hybrids. These undeniable advantages in terms of energy recuperation increase its efficiency and range.
The 2-seater’s attributes have nothing to envy of the competition : a monocoque body entirely made of carbon fiber, variable aerodynamics and adaptative rear-axle steering, two qualities that already conquered the 911 Turbo, GT3 and GT3 RS.
The 918 Spyder’s 3 l/100 km consumption, often lower than that of urban vehicles on the European cycle, gives CO2 emissions of 72 g/km. Economic, but also offering high performance. 887 hp : a figure admittedly lower than the 916 hp of the P1 or 963 hp of LaFerrari, yet still not making it the least fast of the three… Far from it. The 918 Spyder gobbles up the 21 km and 173 bends around the Nürburgring in 6:57’, the third fastest time ever clocked up by a production model.
Everything in the design with its sensual curves conveys power. Inside, the tone is set immediately : sporty, of course, but elegant too, with a cockpit of exemplary sobriety. The suspended central console features a touchscreen and information display. The steering wheel has a rotating control for the five drive modes. The red button in the centre harnesses the maximum power of the three motors of the 918, which always takes to the road in all-electric mode. You’ll need 775,404 € to acquire this German model, though the bill gets dangerously close to 850,000 € for the Weissach package, ie. magnesium wheels, a weight advantage of about 45 kg and an aerodynamic kit. The last of the 918s to be made by Porsche left the production line in June.
