LIVE: Porsche's hybrid supercar at Geneva 2010

Carrera GT replacement previewed by German firm’s stunning 918 Spyder concept

March 2010

The supercar of tomorrow is here! This is Porsche’s 918 Spyder, a hybrid performance car built to give the best of both worlds, offering a near-200mph top speed, yet managing almost 100mpg.

The Spyder joins the new Cayenne hybrid in Geneva, and previews the replacement for the Porsche Carrera GT. But while that car featured a 5.7-litre V10, the concept car uses a mid-mounted 493bhp 3.4-litre V8 derived from the firm's Spyder racing car, and it revs to 9,200rpm.

>>SEE THE 918 SPYDER IN ACTION HERE<<

But what makes this new car special is the addition of two hybrid motors, which add a further 160kW (215bhp). One drives the front axle through a fixed transmission, and the other is sandwiched between the conventional engine and a seven-speed PDK gearbox. The motors are powered by a lithium ion battery pack located behind the passenger cell.

The hybrid system has four modes, so depending on whether speed or economy is your priority, the car is always operating at its most efficient.

Around town, E-drive mode allows the car to travel up to 16 miles on electricity alone. Next is Hybrid mode, which uses both power sources in moderation, giving claimed economy figures of 94mpg and 70g/km of CO2.

Sport Hybrid mode offers more aggressive power delivery and a torque vectoring function for improved dynamics. The most aggressive mode is Race Hybrid, which gives the most power and features a push-to-pass function.

In this mode, Porsche claims that the 918 can sprint from 0-62mph in 3.2 seconds, hit 198mph and can lap the legendary Nurburgring Nordschleife in under 7 minutes 30 seconds, making it faster than a Carrera GT.

The performance is helped in part by the comprehensive use of lightweight materials in the car’s construction. Carbon fibre reinforced plastics, magnesium and aluminium feature throughout, meaning the 918 Spyder tips the scales at 1,490kg.

Finally Porsche has confirmed that the concept’s look is not just a technological showcase. The interior of this car is set to dictate the look of the next generation of Porsches, beginning with the next 911 in 2012.

>> CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO OUR EXCLUSIVE GENEVA MOTOR SHOW HOMEPAGE

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6 Comments

Porsche having Electric dreams ?

Although I love porsches for driving, after refusing to accept some poor design issues in the past few years on the 996 and boxster engines,( hence saving a fortune on warranties) (ask their owners) they have enough money left over to waste on this exercise,technically it has some interest maybe but if they put out another model in the 996 mode, they will be known as the german TVR company,learn fast Mr Porsche in these difficult global times people expect good cars and good back up.

By browser0072000 on 4 March, 2010, 7:14am

Good looking Porsche

What happened? Was it designed by an outside design house or have Porsche woken up to the fact that technically they have great cars, but are not adventurous in looks? Great effort, indeed.

By Mike_the_Trike on 4 March, 2010, 8:31am

Same old Porsche front end...

I don't agree with Mike_the _Trike. This looks like Porsche's version of a Lotus Elise with that same old 911 front end introduced before I was born - and I am nearly 50! I know that the 928 was a flop, but at least it was a little different from every other Porsche built since the Roman Empire collapsed.
Don't get me wrong, I love the look of Porsches, and they are great cars, but having seen them around for so long I am tired of the look. It's something that most manufacturers suffer from - corporate haircut design - the marketing dept. wouldn't have it any other way. Since when were the words radical and corporate marketing used in the same sentance ? :-)

A near 100mpg supercar - wow - "Euromillions ticket please"

By dav01wat on 4 March, 2010, 11:40am

918 Spider

Come up with an entry level Porsche in the mid-k range and it would reset the market for affordable sports cars. Expect 30k units per year sales volume. You can use the same body style as the 918 Spyder, but I agree it looks very Tesla/Lotus esqe.

By Peter_Tremulis on 4 March, 2010, 5:13pm

What a supercar!

Thats a supercar for you eco-mentalists and every petrolhead out there!
Thats how you bring the design from a 1960's Porsche with the modern design package.
Huge horsepower, massive MPG and CO2 to match a VW Polo Bluemotion, I agree with dav01wat, lets go and get Euromillions.
This is how you satisfy a petrolhead with horsepower and handling ability and the eco-mentalists with the 100MPG figure and low CO2.
If your already a rich petrolhead like Peter Jones, this will blow your mind as even though the Bugatti Veyron has the X-Factor, this has the Xtra Factor! What a car! What a design!
Good luck Porsche, you have finally won my vote.

By lucasworld on 5 March, 2010, 5:40pm