Monday 18th November 2013

Porsche updates 918 performance stats

Quicker as an EV and a hybrid, the 918 posts another stunning set of numbers

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As if that 'ring lap time wasn't enough, Porsche has landed us with another surprise on the 918 Spyder's performance. Without detailing exactly how, its acceleration times have been revised so it's now even faster than previously stated.

918 now apparently capable of 0-186 in 20sec

A couple of tenths have been taken from the 0-60 mph time (now 2.5 seconds) and the 0-124mph is half a second quicker at 7.2. Less than 20 seconds are now required to sprint from a standstill to 186mph, an improvement of two seconds.

Porsche also claims the 918 is faster on just electric power too. As standard, it will hit 62mph seven tenths quicker at 6.2 seconds. The Weissach package takes a tenth off that figure.

So how does it compare to the McLaren? That 0-124mph figure is just 0.4 seconds behind the P1, but the 918's 19.9-second 0-186mph time is 3.4 seconds slower. Anyone else want to see a race?

[Source: WCF]

[CraigyMc]

If it's gaining 0.2s on the 0-62mph and another 0.3s on the 62-124mph, surely that points to more power?

The 918 disconnects the (front) electric drive above 146mph, so the 146-186mph performance won't be changed by that.

[Ex Boy Racer]

Obviously had it chipped

[toppstuff]

Considering this is the absolute cutting edge, the pinnacle of car design in the 21st century, am i the only one who finds the 918 looks disappointingly retro?

[Ryvita]

Interesting. This could become a common feature of electric hybrid vehicles, where there may be increased potential for a "firmware update" having significant effect on performance.

I guess that with additional miles under the wheels, engineers have said yes to a reduction in some of the safety factors, allowing an increase in power somewhere in the system? The limiting factor is normally the thermal maximum on battery peak output isn't it?

[IMI A]

20 lap race of NBR. Vettel in Porsche and Hamilton in Macca. Macca would lead due to Hamilton's skill closely followed by Porsche but ultimately breakdown after about 10 laps!

[CraigyMc]

IMI A said:

20 lap race of NBR. Vettel in Porsche and Hamilton in Macca. Macca would lead due to Hamilton's skill closely followed by Porsche but ultimately breakdown after about 10 laps!

That would be a 456km race, and neither of them would make it to the finishing line without at least a (more likely several) pitstops.

[P4ROT]

Ex Boy Racer said:

Obviously had it chipped

[acer12]

IMI A said:

20 lap race of NBR. Vettel in Porsche and Hamilton in Macca. Macca would lead due to Hamilton's skill closely followed by Porsche!

???

[red_slr]

I suspect its the normal MO for Porsche to figure their cars and then "add a bit on"... you know just in case.
Now their main rivals have figured their cars they thought it was probably best to revise the figures to more realistic numbers!

[epom]

toppstuff said:

Considering this is the absolute cutting edge, the pinnacle of car design in the 21st century, am i the only one who finds the 918 looks disappointingly retro?

I think it is by far and away the best looking to the current 3 hypercars.

[unpc]

toppstuff said:

Considering this is the absolute cutting edge, the pinnacle of car design in the 21st century, am i the only one who finds the 918 looks disappointingly retro?

It's quite pretty but hardly blazing a trail is it?

[WokkaWokka]

I really like both the Porsche and McLaren but the porsche leaves me feeling warmer than the Macca. Has the ring time for the P1 been published yet?

[CraigyMc]

WokkaWokka said:

Has the ring time for the P1 been published yet?

No it hasn't been published, and they've said they won't publish it at all.

[CedricN]

Saw a couple of them this summer, looks a lot more spectacular in the flesh. Front looks almost boring at the pictures..

Interesting that the bootlid was all covered in black soot from the exhaust, hope they fixed it on the production versions, otherwise a white car would be very painful to own

[wtdoom]

The stats are faster because the front e motor is optimised to rev at a higher rpm now and work for longer . It disconnects later( 160/170mph I forget exactly ) now and some of the other systems have been optimised and are now better integrated . They estimate a ring time of a minimum of 10 seconds faster than before and promise all stats and lap times will be completely and consistently repeatable in customer cars .
Apparently the acceleration figures and especially the power and torque figures are "on the conservative side ".

Edited by wtdoom on Monday 18th November 14:14

[CraigyMc]

wtdoom said:

The stats are faster because the front e motor is optimised to rev at a higher rpm now and work for longer . It disconnects later( 160/170mph I forget exactly ) now and some of the other systems have been optimised and are now better integrated . They estimate a ring time of a minimum of 10 seconds faster than before and promise all stats and lap times will be completely and consistently repeatable in customer cars .
Apparently the acceleration figures and especially the power and torque figures are "on the conservative side ".

Edited by wtdoom on Monday 18th November 14:14

It'd be nice if Porsche did a release explaining what they've done.

Anyone know if one exists?


ETA: Found it. VW group's website, obviously (!)

http://www.volkswagenag.com/content/vwcorp/info_ce...

Edited by CraigyMc on Monday 18th November 14:49

[famfarrow]

As much as the Mc impresses me if I could only have one on my drive I would have the 918. Just lovely.

[dukebox9reg]

famfarrow said:

As much as the Mc impresses me if I could only have one on my drive I would have the 918. Just lovely.

Why? It looks like a Boxster with a body kit.

[SevenR]

the new figs are after they've fitted an aftermarket exhaust and an induction kit

[The Surveyor]

famfarrow said:

As much as the Mc impresses me if I could only have one on my drive I would have the 918. Just lovely.

Good job too as all the P1s are now sold. Pointless comparing numbers as the performance is so far beyond what's permissible on the road and beyond most mortals ability on the track. Both will be equally amazing but I'm just not excited by the way the Porsche looks, especially when the P1 looks like something from a different planet...