Tuesday 10th September 2013

Porsche: Frankfurt 2013

918 Spyder plays the numbers game, 911 50 Years Edition 'not that tacky after all' it turns out

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So Porsche was holding back something on the 918 Spyder; namely a sub-seven 'ring lap with a 6min 57sec time around the Nordschleife. All this just a couple of days after we were discussing the same...

918 mobbed after 'ring lap time announced

Which leaves McLaren where, having said "without a sub-seven lap time we probably won't even mention we were at the Nurburgring"? In a pickle if they haven't already nailed it, given that the P1 has been a frequent sight on the track in recent weeks.

Anyway, lap time willy waggling aside that's a damned impressive time and achieved on the standard tyres and in a production car with the optional Weissach pack. This comprises magnesium wheels, harnesses, carbon aero and other bits and saves 41kg from the standard 1,675kg kerb weight and further pounds from your wallet. Or rather euros, the UK price for the 918 Spyder confirmed as 781,155 euros as standard, 853,155 euros for the Weissach package if you want to try for that sub-seven time yourself.

Elsewhere on the Porsche stand there's the compulsory VW group electric chit-chat based around the Panamera S E-Hybrid, the plug-in Panamera that'll do 168mph, 91mpg and 71g/km.

50 Years Edition 911 not as naff as feared

Walter Rohrl, who drove the 918 on stage, toed the company line by saying of the 918 he was initially sceptical about the idea of hybrid Porsches. "It's supposed to be fun? I couldn't imagine it," he said, before, in an incredible coincidence, admitting the 918 had proved him wrong... He also said the 918 is "substantially faster than the Carrera GT, and more agile too" in case you were wondering how it took 30 seconds out of that car's lap.

Get used to the idea too, Porsche last night telling the VW group evening that hybrids are at the heart of its future plans. That hybrid 911 can't be too far away...

Oh, and the 911 50 Years Edition? It's no Singer and the beige paint doesn't do it a whole lot of favours. But it actually looks alright, complete with houndstooth upholstery. If retro modern 911s were our thing we'd probably still go for a Sport Classic though...

[chrisironside]

Dear Porsche,
Love the 918, and the 50 years edition.
Keep up the good work xx

[Krikkit]

Seriously impressive laptime for the 918 - if the P1 and F70 aren't quicker they'll look a right bunch of knobs!

[Tuvra]

Them wheels look awful on the 918, they need a set of these:

[gofasterrosssco]

Krikkit said:

if the P1 and F70 aren't quicker they'll look a right bunch of knobs!

Or maybe just not concerned with the 'ring laptime circus.. What a refreshing idea. Regardless, I'm fairly confident both will beat the 918's time.

[storminnorman]

Not brilliant for the 918 considering 6:48 was floating around previously. Nonetheless I'm sure it will sell well if the CGT was anything to go by. Fantastic looking car.

[GravelBen]

storminnorman said:

Not brilliant for the 918 considering 6:48 was floating around previously.

What exactly is meant by 'floating around'? And how does it affect whether 6:57 is brilliant or not?

[EricE]

A hybrid 911 will be a necessary evil, but if it saves us from the impending doom that is a diesel 911, hey…

And lets not forget about this little bit of Porsche history.

[E38Ross]

I'd laugh if that mclaren photo thing showing 6:33 r whatever it was is true

I genuinely think the Mclaren will be a fair chunk quicker than this though, mighty impressive that it is.

[mr2j]

Tuvra said:

Them wheels look awful on the 918, they need a set of these:

Agreed, but in true PH style I am going to say... THOSE FLUORESCENT CALIPERS ARE BLOODY HORRIBLE. But that's beside the point because I totally agree with you on the wheels.

[storminnorman]

GravelBen said:

storminnorman said:

Not brilliant for the 918 considering 6:48 was floating around previously.

What exactly is meant by 'floating around'? And how does it affect whether 6:57 is brilliant or not?

The former, on the web. The latter, in terms of people's subsequent expectations. I was unfair though, 6.57 is a very fast time.

[Police State]

here's some more 911-50 pics taken last week.

[BBS-LM]

Bloody hell, 6min 57sec, that is a remarkable time for a road car. I wonder what the P1 comes up with.

[dapearson]

I'm sure a sub-7mins lap time is going to really restore the faith in Porsche of all of those 996/997/boxster/cayman owners with nackered engines.

[Dr S]

Sub 7 minutes is bonkersly fast and mightily impressive for such a heavy car. The question remains though whether performance and driving fun are still as tightly correlated as they used to be...

[sisu]

Tuvra said:

Them wheels look awful on the 918, they need a set of these:

No I think you will find that it is the "Ich liebe die 80er" Day glo yellow calipers that stand out as the awful thing.

But hey what are you gonna do bitch?
If you want the carbon brakes - yellow calipers. If you want the sports bits, you gotta have the crappy stopwatch on the dashboard. The 17" Fuch wheels on new 911 - we will charge you £115,000 but you can only get it in dull grey and grey leather, lots of leather.

[lockup]

Hurrah, I get to be a pedant! Toeing the line

[Nicholls22]

Love the wheels on that 911.

[soad]

Don't like those wheels. Not keen on the badge either.

[epom]

I just want a Sport Classic, I'll be happy then.

[anniesdad]

Tuvra said:

Them wheels look awful on the 918, they need a set of these:

Weissach package comes with those wheels.



edited: obviously the discerning gentleman would order their Weissach car without the gaudy (imho) decals.

Edited by anniesdad on Tuesday 10th September 13:08