Tuesday 3rd September 2013

Porsche 918 Spyder readies for debut

Debut? Yes, the proper debut, ready to roll and in production form

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So we've had a diesel Porsche story already today. Now time for a hybrid one. Albeit the kind more in keeping with the PH mindset than the petrol-electric versions of the Panamera and Cayenne.

PH has driven it already - see link to Harris's vid

Yes, the 918 Spyder, a car it seems we've already done to death, is actually making its official production debut at Frankfurt next week. And if that seems like a slightly hollow boast it's worth bearing in mind quite how significant the car is, both to Porsche and the newly emerging hybrid-hypercar age. Significant enough that Porsche is drawing parallels to a car it unveiled at the same show in Frankfurt 50 years ago. An anniversary we may already have mentioned on PH once or twice, if memory serves.

True; the Porsche is going to have its mirrors full of the McLaren P1 and LaFerrari very soon. But Frankfurt represents a significant evolutionary step in supercar development and Porsche won't be missing the opportunity to make a big fuss about having the production car on show.

Here, to bring you up to speed, is a bit of a timeline on how it went from a 718hp concept to a 770hp prototype and finally a 887hp production reality, as reported on (and driven by) PH...

• Porsche unveils Hybrid 918 Spyder (March 2010)
• Video: Porsche 918 Spyder(April 2010)
• Porsche 918 Spyder is go(July 2010)
• Porsche reveals 918 RSR concept at Detroit (January 2011)
• 770hp and 94mpg for Porsche 918 Spyder(May 2012)
• Porsche 918 Spyder: leaked details (September 2012)
• Chris Harris video: Porsche 918 Spyder (October 2012)
• Porsche 918 Spyder driven: Chris Harris video (May 2013)

 

[DonkeyApple]

It's a good looking car but does appear to be a step behind the P1 and Laugharari.

[ugg10]

Saw this at the moving motorshow at last years FOS, absolutely stunning, best car at the show IMHO. Does not have the big wow factor of the Laferrari or P1 but I prefer the lower key look of the 918, now wings/bits sticking out etc. just great design and attention to detail.

The big questions would be this or a Ruff CTR v8 ?

[TREMAiNE]

It is nice to see its progression, I've read about this for the last 3 years, before I even had an account and was just a lurker!

Can't wait til it is finally out!

[Greg_D]

3 replies in half an hour (before this) shows how much of a f**k anyone gives about this

[Krikkit]

918 looks great, but I can't help feel it'd be better without the batteries - just a high-revving V8 and lots of carbon.

Unfortunately the P1 and Laugherrari will wipe the floor with this, the P1 for looks and the big red shouty machine for speed by the sounds (sub-16s to 300kph is mental fast).

[RINGMEISTER]

Who in they're right mind would pick this over a Carrera GT?

[TheDeadPrussian]

RINGMEISTER said:

Who in they're right mind would pick this over a Carrera GT?

Not over - but as well as is the market I think they are aiming at...

[TheDeadPrussian]

A very well written account of a potential owners drive is here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=48&t=1325775&mid=60581&nmt=918+Drive+%2C+Leipzig+

[Mermaid]

TheDeadPrussian said:

A very well written account of a potential owners drive is here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=48&t=1325775&mid=60581&nmt=918+Drive+%2C+Leipzig+

That link did not work for me.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[garypotter]

RINGMEISTER said:

Who in they're right mind would pick this over a Carrera GT?

A Carrera GT owner I know does not like the cost of the 918........ ouch

[E38Ross]

It'll sell out, but suspect it's a step behind the P1 and La Ferrari too, the P1 seems like it's on another planet.

[Rawwr]

This would be my choice over the P1 and LaFerrari.

[Chicane-UK]

One thing I was wondering with these cars that run on battery, and which can just activate the engines on a whim / when more performance is needed..

Ideally you warm up an engine before abusing it. With these engines, presumably it's entirely possible you could bimble around on the battery for a few miles before switching on Race mode and putting the foot down. Does the car keep the engine fluids warm even whilst driving around on battery so that when you do fire up the engine, you're not immediately thrashing it from stone cold?

[kambites]

I thought this had been out for months - there's been so much pre-launch rubbish that it doesn't feel like a new car any more.

[patmahe]

Any chance of this the P1 and LaFerrari going head to head at LeMans? Maybe 2014/15

[Rawwr]

Chicane-UK said:

One thing I was wondering with these cars that run on battery, and which can just activate the engines on a whim / when more performance is needed..

Ideally you warm up an engine before abusing it. With these engines, presumably it's entirely possible you could bimble around on the battery for a few miles before switching on Race mode and putting the foot down. Does the car keep the engine fluids warm even whilst driving around on battery so that when you do fire up the engine, you're not immediately thrashing it from stone cold?

As opposed to jumping in a Carrera GT and smashing the tits off it from cold? Surely common sense should prevail in the same way it would with any other car?

[DonkeyApple]

Chicane-UK said:

One thing I was wondering with these cars that run on battery, and which can just activate the engines on a whim / when more performance is needed..

Ideally you warm up an engine before abusing it. With these engines, presumably it's entirely possible you could bimble around on the battery for a few miles before switching on Race mode and putting the foot down. Does the car keep the engine fluids warm even whilst driving around on battery so that when you do fire up the engine, you're not immediately thrashing it from stone cold?

I had assumed that the engine would sit at idle while the car was running on electric, rather than switching off. If the latter then there would be a way of keeping everything 'prepped' as you suggest.

[Chicane-UK]

Rawwr said:

As opposed to jumping in a Carrera GT and smashing the tits off it from cold? Surely common sense should prevail in the same way it would with any other car?

Fair point I guess. It does assume a level of common sense though (or more importantly mechanical sympathy) which as we all know doesn't exist for all motorists, regardless of their budget

[Mermaid]

DELETED: Comment made by a member who's account has been deleted.

Is appetite for these type of cars waning a bit?

[Frimley111R]

Mermaid said:

DELETED: Comment made by a member who's account has been deleted.

Is appetite for these type of cars waning a bit?

I think people may be getting a bit bored of the 911 look on every Porsche. This one just doesn't have enough 'wow' factor for me.