automotive review

The car combines the high-tech racing features with electric-mobility to offer a fascinating range of qualities. The new car promises to deliver a fuel consumption of just 3 (three) liters/100 kilometers (equal to approximately 78 mpg U.S.), outstanding for a sports car and will deliver just 70 grams of CO2 per kilometer. Don’t think the cars hasn’t good performances, because the 918 Spyder Concept will sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.2 seconds, while the top speed is limited electronically to 320 km/h (198 mph).

Porsche promises a lap time on the Nordschleife of N ̧rburgring in less than 7:30 minutes, faster than even the Porsche Carrera GT. The 918 Spyder is one of three Porsche models with hybrid drive making their world. The other cars will be the 2011 Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid and the impressive 911 GT3 R Hybrid race car.

Under the hood the concept car carries a V8 engine capable to deliver more than 500 horsepower and a maximum engine speed of 9,200 rpm but also two electric motors, one on the front and one on the rear axle with an overall mechanical output of 218 horsepower (160 kW). The V8 combustion engine is the next step in the evolution of the highly successful 3.4- liter power unit already featured in the RS Spyder racing car and positioned mid-ship, in front of the rear axle, giving the car excellent balance and the right set-up for supreme performance on the race track.

The engine is mated to a seven-speed Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) transmission that 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 fluid-cooled lithium-ion battery positioned behind the passenger cell.

The car can be driven in different running modes. In the E-Drive, it acts as an electric car and has a range of 25 km or 16 miles. In the Hybrid mode it 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. In 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.