Categories
Green Machines Porsche

Porsche brings us closer to the 918 Spyder

Porsche 918 Spyder prototype, March 2012

Tech geeks Wired were invited along to Nardo in Italy to take a closer look at the development of the 918 Spyder. You’ll recall the concept was first launched at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. It promises massive horsepower, around 770 in all, thanks to a combination of an RS Spyder-sourced V8 and a pair of electric motors, one at each axle.

The 918 Spyder doesn’t go on sale until the latter half of 2013, which explains the rather cobbled together prototype you see above. And you’re going to have to pay a lot of money for the keys, or extension lead, whatever. Somehow, we think it will be worth the wait:

“Flick the steering wheel mounted switch into “Hot Lap” mode and in third gear Porsche claims you’ll be thrusted forward with an overboosted total of 700 lb-ft 9950Nm] of twist. That’s good for a zero to 60 mph run of less than 3 seconds, 124 mph [200km/h] in less than 9 seconds and on to a top speed of 202 mph [325km/h]. And if you’ve got enough juice from the liquid-cooled, lithium-ion battery pack, you can hit 90 mph [145km/h] without using a single drop of fuel.

“The entire chassis is a mix of carbon fiber and aluminum, including the passenger compartment and associated crash structure, which weighs in at a scant 485 pounds [220kg]. Carbon fiber construction has come a long way since Porsche’s last super car, the Carrera GT, and Porsche illustrates that by pointing out that the passenger tub of the GT took five days to make. Today, they can crank out five 918 tubs a day thanks to new innovations in composites and assembly methods.”

If that’s grabbed your attention then you’re probably going to like Harry Metcalfe’s video after the break, with thanks to Evo.

[Source: Wired & Evo]

3 replies on “Porsche brings us closer to the 918 Spyder”

Comments are closed.