[Source: Autocar]
For those of you playing catch-up, read our previous posts featuring the sensational Porsche 918 Spyder,  “FEATURE | Porsche 918 Spyder Hybrid” and “GALLERY | Great Images of the Porsche 918 Spyder Concept at the GMS 2010″, then come back for more (and we are quite confident you will!).
Now, for those of you who want the short answer, an enthusiastic “YES!” is the response to the production question for the 918 Spyder. Â According to Porsche, the decision to make the 918 Spyder a full production car reflects the “overwhelming reponse from the public and customers” to the Geneva concept car.
For those of you who want to hear directly from the horse’s mouth, Porsche AG CEO Michael Macht himself, here is your answer: “Production of the 918 Spyder in a limited series proves that we are taking the right approach with Porsche Intelligent Performance featuring the combination of supreme performance and efficient drivetrain concepts,” said CEO Michael Macht. “We will develop the 918 Spyder in Weissach and assemble it in Zuffenhausen. This is also a very important commitment to Germany as a manufacturing base.”
Now, for those of you who want to delve deeper into the who, what, when, where, how and how much of it, then here’s more…much more!
[Source: Porsche]
At first glance, it’s easy to see why there is so much (boat loads actually) accolades, buzz, chitter-chatter, drooling, whatever you want to call it over this car….click on image below to enlarge and see it for yourself!
[Source: Christophorus]
The truth of the matter is that this vehicle is a revolution in more ways than one…and it’s no wonder that the “expressions of interest” (or waiting list) are now over 2,000 (Porsche was willing take 918 Spyder into production with 1,000)! At approximately, $630,000, the production 918 Spyder would be the most expensive vehicle in the Porsche line-up….ever!! In Porsche’s own words, “offering a unique combination of extremely low fuel consumption, supreme performance and long electric range, the Porsche 918 Spyder concept represents an essential milestone in Porsche’s strategy on the way to genuine electric-mobility.” Yes, their larger point being that in the face of the environmental discussion (as they call it) the Porsche brand is “fighting” to stay relevant in what is becoming an extremely harsh climate (no pun intended) for sports car manufacturers….hard to believe that Porsche is “fighting” anything when this car gives off an impression of Porsche effortlessness.
Under the “hood”, this highly-efficient, low-emission, plug-in hybrid car boasts a mid-mounted high-revving 500hp (at 9,200rpm) V8 combustion engine and two electric motors with a combined output of 218bhp. This results in a mind-boggling 0-62mph in 3.2sec, a max horsepower of 718hp, and a whopping 198mph top speed. All this performance by consuming only 3 liters per 100 kilometers (78 miles) and emitting just 70 grams of CO2 per kilometer.
I guess some of this is to be expected, when you learn that the car’s engine (and soul perhaps) was a development of Porsche’s RS Spyder racer. When this beast goes into drive (Seven-speed Porsche PDK Transmission), the two front wheels are driven by one electric motor and the rear wheels by the engine and the other motor, making it a bona-fide 4-wheel drive.
Just take a look at the cockpit (click to enlarge)…
[Source: Christophorus]
According to Porsche, the modular structure with its monocoque bodyshell made of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFP) and liberal use of magnesium and aluminum not only reduce weight to below 1,490 kg, or 3,285 lb (that’s just 600 lbs more than a MINI Cooper S), but also ensure supreme driving precision thanks to a high level of torsional stiffness. Â Anyone else drooling yet? Â Well, if you are drooling over the concept car’s 22-inch alloy wheels, then a bit of bad news, it seems they might not make production. Â Oh, and sadly, that’s not the only that might not make it….the wicked side exhausts might move to the rear….small compromises in my book!
How does it get that extra edge? Check out the ram air intakes below (click to enlarge)….at high speeds, these intakes boost the combustion engine’s injection capability and thus yield a slight increase in performance…..James Bond eat your heart out!
[Source: Christophorus]
Another interesting feature that is slated to go into production is the touch-screen infotainment system and the cameras that will replace the side mirrors (check photos below in case you were wondering what those things were), where the images will appear on the instrument cluster. This is good news for those of you with rubber necks out there!
The concept car was showcased again at Pebble Beach, where it moved off of its own power for the first time! According to AutoCar, “it was also said at the event that the 918 is being developed wearing Boxster and Cayman bodies and it will be offered in both hard-top and soft-top forms for production.” This is no surprise (actually yes it is!) since the 918 Spyder is similar in both weight and length to the Boxster and Caymen, although much wider than either.
Production is now expected to total 1,200 units, which isn’t much, especially, when only 1,500 examples of the Carrera GT were built. By the way, Porsche claims that the 918 Spyder is capable of a sub-7m30s lap around Nurburgring, quicker than the Carrera GT.
So if your well-heeled and in search of a revolution, then hurry up and get in line!!
Porsche 918 Spyder Studio Shots:
[Source: Porsche]
Porsche 918 Spyder at Pebble Beach:
[Source: Autocar]
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