More photos and details with the Porsche 918 Spyder have been released today by the German sports car maker.
The Porsche 918 Spyder in being exhibited in Geneva along with the new Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid and the new 911 GT3 R Hybrid and this new mid engines performance car features hybrid technology and promises to lap the Nurburgring faster than the Porsche Carrera GT.
The Porsche 918 Spyder is powered by a 500 HP V8 plus 3 electric motors that generate and additional 160 kW. Details regarding performance indicate the Porsche 918 Spyder is able to accelerate from 0 to 100 Km/h in only 3.2 seconds and reach a maximum speed of 320 Km/h (198 mph).
What is truly impressive is the fact that this kind of performance is achieved while the Porsche 918 Spyder needs only 3.0-litres of fuel per 100 kilometres (94.0 mpg) and has ultra-low CO2
emission of just 70 g/km.
In depth details with the Porsche 918 Spyder in the official press release below.
Porsche press release :
Porsche is keeping up the pace in the enhancement of efficiency
combined with driving pleasure, by shifting to the next gear at the
2010 Geneva Motor Show with no less than three world debuts in hybrid
technology.
The absolute highlight is the presentation of a concept of a
high-performance mid-engined sports car with plug-in hybrid technology,
the 918 Spyder, which debuts alongside the Cayenne S Hybrid, the first
production hybrid in the history of Porsche AG, and the 911 GT3 R
Hybrid which is the first racing car from the Stuttgart marque with
electric front axle drive and a flywheel energy reservoir.
Highly Efficient and Ultra-Fast: Porsche 918 Spyder Mid-Engined Sports Car with Plug-In Hybrid
Presenting a high-performance mid-engined concept sports car with
ultra-efficient, low-emission drive technology, Porsche is further
increasing the Company’s competence in hybrid technology.
The 918 Spyder prototype combines high-tech racing features and
electro-mobility with the performance of a thoroughbred super sports
car to offer a fascinating range of qualities. These include, first and
foremost, an emissions level of just 70 grams/km CO2
combined with fuel consumption of three litres/100 kilometres (equal to
94 mpg on the New European Driving Cycle); a feat outstanding even for
an ultra-compact city car, yet truly remarkable when combined with the
performance of a supercar. Acceleration from 0-62mph (100 km/h) is
achievable in just under 3.2 seconds, a top speed of more than 198mph
(320 km/h), and a lap time around the Nürburgring Nordschleife of less
than 7:30 minutes – faster than the Porsche Carrera GT.
The 918 Spyder is one of three Porsche models with hybrid drive
making their world debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. This trio –
made up of the new Cayenne S Hybrid SUV with parallel full-hybrid
drive, the 911 GT3 R Hybrid racing car with electric drive on the front
axle and a flywheel mass battery, and the two-seater high-performance
918 Spyder mid-engined sports car with plug-in hybrid technology –
clearly demonstrates not only the great bandwidth of this new drive
technology, but also the innovative power of Porsche as a genuine
pioneer in hybrid drive.
Under the Skin
The highly innovative 918 Spyder concept car combines Porsche
Intelligent Performance technology, know-how from motorsport, and
classic but modern design to make a truly convincing statement.
The open two-seater is powered by a high-speed V8 developing more
than 500 bhp and running at maximum speed engine of 9,200 rpm as well
as electric motors on the front and rear axle with overall mechanical
output of 218 bhp (160 kW). The V8 combustion engine is a further
development of the highly successful 3.4-litre power unit already
featured in the RS Spyder racing car and positioned amidships in front
of the rear axle, giving the car the optimum set-up for supreme
performance on the race track through its inherent good chassis balance.
Power is transmitted to the wheels by a seven-speed PDK
(Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe) double clutch transmission, which
also feeds the power of the electric drive system to the rear axle. The
front-wheel electric drive powers the wheels through a fixed
transmission ratio.
The energy reservoir is a liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery
positioned behind the passenger cell. The big advantage of a plug-in
hybrid is that the battery can be charged on the regular electrical
network. A further point is that the car’s kinetic energy is converted
into electrical energy and fed into the battery when applying the
brakes, thus providing additional energy for fast and dynamic
acceleration.
A button on the steering wheel allows the driver to choose among
four different running modes. The E-Drive mode is for running the car
under electric power alone, with a range of up to 16 miles (25 km). In
the Hybrid mode, the 918 Spyder uses both the electric motors and the
combustion engine as a function of driving conditions and requirements,
offering a range from particularly fuel-efficient all the way to
extra-powerful.
The Sport Hybrid mode uses both drive systems, but with the focus on
performance. Most of the drive power goes to the rear wheels, with
Torque Vectoring serving to additionally improve the car’s driving
dynamics.
In the Race Hybrid mode, the drive systems are focused on pure
performance with the highest standard of driving dynamics on the track,
running at the limit to their power and dynamic output. With the
battery sufficiently charged, a push-to-pass button feeds in additional
electrical power (E-Boost), when overtaking, for example, or for even
better performance.
With the hybrid drive system offering this wide range of individual
modes and applications, the 918 Spyder is able either to achieve lap
times comparable to those of a thoroughbred racing car – such as less
than 7:30 minutes on the Nürburgring Nordschleife – or, focusing on a
more economical style of motoring, with a reduction in emissions to
just 70 grams of CO2 per kilometre.
Lightweight Body
Like the drivetrain, the lightweight body structure of the 918
Spyder also bears out the car’s DNA carried over directly from
motorsport: The modular structure with its monocoque bodyshell made of
carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFP) and the appropriate use of
magnesium and aluminium not only reduce weight to less than 1,490kg,
but also ensure supreme driving precision thanks to the very high level
of torsional stiffness.
Reminiscent of highly successful legendary racing cars such as the
Porsche 917 and the current Porsche RS Spyder, the 918 Spyder with its
design concept so typical of Porsche arouses powerful emotions. The
combination of racing car dimensions, clearly structured design with
perfectly balanced surfaces, and innovative details all round creates
an overall pattern of aesthetic, perfectly balanced harmony in design
full of power and dynamics. This indeed is the ideal synthesis of form
and function following the proven Porsche design DNA.
The smooth balance of tradition and progress gives the 918 Spyder a
powerful stance on the road with its combination of dimensions.
Variable aerodynamics typical of Porsche ensure both visionary and
traditional highlights, particularly around the rear spoiler. The
striking rear hoods extending out of the headrests, in turn, not only
fulfil an aerodynamic function on the 918 Spyder, but also accommodate
retractable air intakes with a ram air function.
Behind The Wheel
The driver and passenger are not only perfectly embedded in
contoured sports bucket seats, but also form part of the cockpit with
its synthesis of efficient function and ergonomic high-tech operation
offering an outlook at the interior architecture we may possibly see in
super sports cars of the future.
The three free-standing circular dials for road speed (left), engine
rpm (middle) and energy management (right) would appear to come
directly from a racing car in the ‘60s, bearing out that unique
philosophy of driver focus so characteristic of Porsche.
The centre console rising up towards the front in the 918 Spyder
houses a touch-sensitive surface for intuitive control of the car’s
functions, serving consistently to reduce the number of visible
controls and maintain the principle of direct operation. The control
units relevant to the driver are concentrated in particular on the
three-spoke multifunction sports steering wheel, while the variable
driving modes, again so typical of Porsche, are supplemented by a map
switch enabling the driver to call up various drive programs and
serving as the push-to-pass button for E-boosting, for example when
overtaking.
Instrument illumination, finally, varies from green for the
consumption-oriented running modes to red for the performance-oriented
driving programmes.
The 918 Spyder also comes with further innovative functions such as
the Range Manager. After being activated in the Centre Display, the
Range Manager uses the map in the navigation system to present the
remaining range the car is able to cover, naturally allowing the driver
to influence that range through the appropriate choice of power and
performance. In cities with environmental alert areas, the Range
Manager also states whether the driver is able to reach a certain
destination on electric power alone.
Applying this information and using further info on the availability
and location of special energy filling stations, the driver is then
able to choose his personal style of driving as well as the right
battery charge and filling strategy.
Offering a unique combination of extremely low fuel consumption,
supreme performance and long electric range, the Porsche 918 Spyder
represents an essential milestone in the Porsche strategy on the way to
genuine electro-mobility.
Porsche Intelligent Performance: an overview
The 918 Spyder is absolutely unique in the super sports car segment,
consuming just three litres of fuel per 100 kilometres (94.0 mpg) in
the New European Driving Cycle. This also applies to its ultra-low CO2
emission rating of just 70 g/km. The new Cayenne S Hybrid, in turn,
consuming just 8.2 litres on 100 kilometres, equal to 34.4 mpg imp,
comes right at the top of its segment, offering the performance of a
large eight-cylinder SUV on unparalleled fuel economy.
Together with the 911 GT3 R Hybrid for motorsport, these hybrid
models set the new benchmark in the traditional Porsche strategy to
offer even more sporting driving pleasure on even less fuel. Such an
ongoing increase in efficiency is the quintessence of 60 years of
sports car construction now described most appropriately by the term
Porsche Intelligent Performance.
The performance of a Porsche is based on intelligent and innovative
ideas for even more effective engines and lighter bodies, for more
power and dynamics on lower fuel consumption and emissions. After all,
a sports car that wastes resources does not make sense – at least not
with Porsche. This has been the recipe for success at Porsche right
from the beginning, with the very first sports car bearing the name
Porsche winning races and beating the competition. And to this day,
this tradition has characterised every new model in the range.
This is precisely why Porsche concentrates on technologies which
enhance performance on the one hand and improve efficiency – which also
means everyday driving qualities – on the other. Examples are Direct
Fuel Injection, the Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) double-clutch
gearbox, VarioCam Plus intake and exhaust timing, the turbocharger with
variable turbine geometry for petrol engines, and Auto Start Stop in
conjunction with PDK in the new Porsche Panamera.
Porsche at the 2010GenevaAuto Show
On the Porsche stand at the Geneva Show from March 4 – 14, the
Porsche 918 Spyder will be displayed alongside the new Cayenne, new 911
Turbo S and 911 GT3 R Hybrid. Please see press releases issued
previously for further information about these products.
