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Porsche 918 official sketches

Production-ready plug-in Porsche supercar revealed in official sketches, blends 200mph pace with 94mpg economy

Porsche 918 official sketches front

By Jack Rix

21st March 2011

Porsche’s hybrid hypercar is go! With fuel consumption of 94mpg, but a 0-62mph time of 3.2 seconds, the 918 Spyder is set to blur the line between performance and economy as never before. Only 918 examples will be made in total at Porsche’s flagship plant in Stuttgart, with production beginning on 18 September 2013 and first deliveries planned for two months later. 

The price has been set at £678,000, which is nearly three times that of the new Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4, and almost £250,000 more than the 918’s
predecessor, the Carrera GT.

Unlike the Geneva Motor Show concept, the production model will 
feature a manual roof system with removable panels that stow in the front 
luggage compartment. The side-exit exhausts have been deleted, and now emerge from pods behind the headrests. The rear wing will extend upwards for more downforce at high speed. 

In keeping with the 918 Spyder’s eco-friendly approach, weight will be kept to a minimum. At the heart of this strategy is a carbon fibre-reinforced plastic monocoque carried over from the Carrera GT. Magnesium and aluminium will also be used throughout, ensuring the 918 weighs in at less than 1,500kg. 

Under the skin, the plug-in hybrid powertrain is identical to the layout shown on the concept. It features a high-revving mid-mounted V8 and 
two electric motors – one on each axle – which brings the benefits of four-wheel drive. 

The engine is derived from the racing unit used on the RS Spyder and will have a displacement of “more than four litres and an output of in excess of 500bhp”. Power is transmitted through 
a seven-speed twin-clutch PDK gearbox. The two electric motors have a joint output of 215bhp.

The lithium-ion battery pack can be charged from a normal power socket in as little as three hours and provides a range of 
16 miles in electric-only mode, 
at speeds of up to 94mph. It’s 
this electric-only function that allows the 918 to achieve such remarkable fuel economy of 94mpg, and corresponding 
emissions of 70g/km.

Although it potentially puts out less CO2 than a Toyota Prius, 
performance is expected to be scintillating. Porsche claims the 0-62mph sprint will take 3.2 
seconds – on a par with the McLaren MP4-12C – with a 
top speed of around 200mph. Simulations have also calculated that the 918 will be able to lap Germany’s famous Nürburgring circuit in seven minutes and 30 seconds – a few seconds quicker than the V10-powered Carrera GT.

Customers putting down a deposit will get the chance to 
buy the ultimate accessory – 
in the shape of a special 911. The Turbo 918 S Spyder Edition comes as a coupé (£125,865) or 
a cabriolet (£133,553), and will also be limited to 918 units. 

Mechanically identical to the 523bhp 911 Turbo S, the limited-run model features acid-green highlights on the seats, instrument dials and 
illuminated door sills. There’s also higher-grade leather on the interior and additional carbon elements inside and out.

A badge on the glovebox 
will bear the same order number as your 918 Spyder, plus it can be ordered in the exact same 
colour. But Spyder Edition will 
be available to the public, too, with deliveries starting in June.

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11 Comments

Pointless and a complete waste of money

What is the point if making a car that does 94mg but only for
10minutes? You then run a much larger engine at a relativey high fuel consumption. If you can afford to buy one then you wont be worrying about fuel costs anyway. And if you were concerned about the environment you wouldn't buy one. If you do want style with ecofriendly economy get a Tesla. It has a much bigger range on the LiOn batteries.

I hope that people who can afford this have more sense than money. It doesn't have any steet cred that's for sure.

By MadDex on 21 March, 2011, 10:37am

Pointless!

Can anyone afford one of these and more fool them if they can and do! Who are these type of cars being made for and what is the point of them if they are not accessible to the general publics pocket. Are we supposed to be amazed if we actually see one on the road, doubtful, more like pity for the person who bought it!

By CarlyWarly on 22 March, 2011, 7:12am

P.S.

...and to think for around £20,000 a decent MX5 can be snapped up! This world! Arf! arf!

By CarlyWarly on 22 March, 2011, 7:37am

"Simulations have also calculated that the 918 will be able to lap Germany’s famous Nürburgring circuit in seven minutes and 30 seconds"

I'm planning myself to launch a car (if anyone will give me a few billion pounds) - it will be powered by mud - 7000 miles per gram, will lap the Nürburgring in 3 minutes and will be made out of potato skins.

So, in truth, the car is just the old Carrera GT with the V8 from the Audi R8 and a battery pack with 2 electric motors. And to get 94mpg, you'll have to drive like a nun - as soon as you actually use the petrol engine, it turns into Oliver Reed. Where's the technical advance, Porsche? Still - at least it's attractive, unlike all current Porsches.

By gherkins123 on 22 March, 2011, 8:03am

Automotive sculpture it may be...

...but as a car its as pointless as a broken pencil.

By snappyuk on 22 March, 2011, 8:17am

Inflamatory

I love cars, motorbikes, and anything in general with a motor ticking beneath the bonnet, but having no job, no prospect of employment, and recently sold my pride and joy in order that my family may eat and stay warm, I honestly find the prices quoted as obscene and inflamtory to those who live in a region that has lost almost all industrial production, with many thousends unemployed and little hope of gaining meaningful employment in the future..... Sorry Porsche, you really have produced something which alienates most decent folk who are not wealthy enough to keep a family saloon going.....

By filz123 on 22 March, 2011, 6:46pm

I love Porsche's I even have one.... but this one is rotten.

Panamera etc and this all a load of crud.

They should be concentrating on reliability of the 911 etc which have engines that blow up.

Mind you Electric could be a better option for Porsche less moving parts.

I think they have totally lost their way.

Making bloat mobiles and silly attempts at super cars pointless in 2011.

By the2beard on 22 March, 2011, 8:11pm

To the Porsche Haters

i heard they have 1000 serious offers already!
Look e.g. at the new überugly Pagani Huayra Catfish.
it costs more than 1 mill. but does it offer something really special, sth. revolutionary?! the 918 on the other hand is is one of the sexiest automotive creations ever. the price reflects that and its unique technical status and how much Porsche invested in this technology. it's the first hybrid supercar and this car is pointing the way for the future of supercars. owning one is like being part of a milestone in automotive history.
it's Porsche's new halo car and i am sure they are putting a hell lot of work and money in it and the result will be amazing just what u would expect from Porsche!!

P.S. i think the 918 will post a number ~ 7:20min on the NS.

cheers

By catchmyshadow on 23 March, 2011, 9:20am

First "hybrid" car my backside...

In my eyes it's not a hybrid unless it can actually go at least 100 miles without petrol.
LPG converted vehicles cost little to run and also don't really pollute yet for some reason manufacturers are failing to embrace it as a fuel.

Anybody with common sense knows Porsche have done this so the rich can avoid paying the congestion charge and / or road tax in London and elsewhere where such restrictions are imposed.

Total joke.

By Bugeye on 23 March, 2011, 1:03pm

Nice styling exercise

I must admit I do like the look of this - at least they haven't just bent up the 911 jelly mold again. However I have grave concerns over the mental health of anyone who spends £678k on a car. They must be really desperate for friends.

By craiglife on 24 March, 2011, 10:59am

the 90 mpg is nonsense and its also a rip-off.However it is pretty and i wish that i could draw like that....

By christophergeek on 24 March, 2011, 5:15pm

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Pictures

Porsche 918 official sketches front
Porsche 918 official sketches interior
Porsche 918 official sketches rear
Porsche 918 official sketches 911 interior
Porsche 918 official sketches 911 turbo

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