Adventures in a 918 Spyder
Discussion
The adventure begins
It is Easter 2015 and I am not sleeping that well. The reason? In a few short days I am collecting my 918 Spyder. We all know that feeling of anticipation - it's almost as much fun as the collection day itself.
As a long term Carrera GT owner I was initially sceptical about the 918, as many were. But after a final test drive in a finished car, I realised I was wrong. The 918 was a very different car from the CGT; less a direct successor and more a cousin with its own unique personality.
The first 1,000 miles running in the car hinted at extraordinary performance. Never has keeping the revs low been less of a drag on performance, with the torque from the electric motors providing instant thrust.
Adventure #1
Porsche GB invited a number of 918 owners to drive to Le Mans 2015. The car by now was run in, and so ready for a road trip!
Of course my interest was in seeing whether Porsche could achieve victory in the 919 Hybrid; and this was my first ever trip to Le Mans.
Porsche laid on a fantastic trip including rooms in the temporary hotel that Porsche build for the event. And of course Porsche pulled off a fantastic win, which led to some significant celebrations in the hospitality suite!
Adventure #2
Next up was a trip to my favourite circuit. I went with a few friends, including the the sales executive at Porsche Guildford (Paul) who has looked after me so well for more than ten years.
We stayed at Sabine's cabin near the 'Ring, which was an absolute hoot. Sabine and Klaus are extremely welcoming hosts and we had more than a few merry nights!
I had planned to hire a Renault Megane RS from RSR to share with Paul, and just do a single lap in the 918.
But that single lap in the 918 was not enough! I've done a fair few laps of the 'Ring, but not in anything so outrageously powerful! The way the car accelerated up Kesselchen was little short of scary. But alongside the pace, the car felt utterly tied down - the damping for what is a relatively heavy car is just sensational. So I ended up doing ten laps and I could have easily gone on!
Outside Manthey Racing
Adventure #3
Fast forward to the autumn of 2015, and I had the chance to join a few friends comparing a McLaren P1 and 675LT with the 918. The weather was kind and so we were able to extend the cars.
It was a privilege to drive the P1. Wow. The sense of occasion is even greater than the 918, thanks to ultra low driving position and the rather extraordinary noises from the engine. The car feels much more agile at the helm, but there is a fair degree of turbo lag despite the e-motor torque fill.
Although less of a sense of occasion, I preferred the 675LT to the P1. It's just that bit more accessible and yet enthrallingly fast.
But I have to say - and you may accuse me of bias - I preferred the 918 to both. That instant torque just gives the car incredibly cross country pace and the conventional suspension connects the driver better to the road. And with the roof off, the noise from the exhaust is unique - pure race car.
Adventure #4
After a short winter layover, I was back out on the road for a Goodwood breakfast Club in 2016. I love going to these events; a proper petrolhead paradise
This fantastic photo was taken by Jo Kingman on the A3 just north of the Hindhead Tunnel.
Adventure #5
One of the joys of being a 918 owner is membership of the 918 Spyder Circle. Porsche set this up to create a community of owners, and to organise events which we could attend.
One of those is "Ice Force Levi", an ice driving event in Finland. It involved three days of driving on ice in a mixture of regular 911s, Turbos and GT3 RSs. We each had a car to ourself, and each group of 4-6 had two instructors.
I've done ice driving before, but not on this scale! The instructors do a fantastic job of pushing you to develop your skills in both 2- and 4-wheel drive cars. The approach is very different, and I particularly enjoyed trying to master drifting in the four wheel drive cars: the big difference being that you don't countersteer as you do in a two wheel drive car.
The highlights were a short, 20 minute drive in the 918 Spyder with the instructor pushing, pushing you to deploy all 875 bhp! What was fascinating was the way the car drifted. The initial slide was like a 2 wheel drive car and you could generate some big drift angles. But then, when you got back on the throttle the car would straighten up, and you could point the nose at the apex and execute a lovely 4-wheel drift.
And then we also had a chance to drive the 991 Cup car on ice - after a demonstration lap by no less than Brendan Hartley! The car's steering is so light and accurate: it was easier to drift than the other cars and the 20 minutes went by all too quickly.
Over dinner that evening, we were then treated to a passenger ride with either Brendan or another top-level driver at the helm of the Cup car. And this time we were taken out - at night - around a forest stage. I was glad to have had a glass of wine beforehand for fortification! But actually, it was just enormous fun
Adventure #6
In July I was invited to a BRDC track day at Silverstone and so decided this was the perfect opportunity to take the 918 on track, given the very high standard of driving. It was a chance in a relatively safe environment to push the car and try "Hot Lap" mode!
The day was dry, until the drive home when it poured with rain. This is where the car is so much more secure and friendly than its predecessor - the new Cup 2s are pretty decent in the wet, although standing water still requires great care.
Adventure #7
Fast forward to November, and I took part in another 918 Spyder Circle event at Portimao circuit. Two days of high intensity driving with professional instructors in GT3 RS, 991 Cup and 918 Spyder cars.
I'd seen the circuit on lots of YouTube videos, especially those by the excellent Chris Harris. but as is so often the case a video can't show the scale of the elevation changes. Bar the pit straight, there is almost nowhere where you aren't in a corner, working the car. And many of the corners are blind, hidden by crests. Just brilliant!
The RS was the friendly car. The 918 was the ballistic missile, reaching 290 kph at the end of the pit straight. And the Cup car on slicks was the serious motor! I was miles off the pace of the Cup car (as a passenger lap with Timo Bernhard later proved!) but it was a brilliant experience. You sit so close to the wheel, and it almost feels claustrophobic with the Hans device, seat wings near your head and roll cage.
The ongoing adventure
I've now completed 6,000 miles in the car and the great joy of it is that every drive is special.
There are time when I miss this...
...the third pedal of the CGT.
But the last 18 months have just been incredible. I am very fortunate to be able to own and enjoy such a car - and I intend to have many more adventures in the future!
It is Easter 2015 and I am not sleeping that well. The reason? In a few short days I am collecting my 918 Spyder. We all know that feeling of anticipation - it's almost as much fun as the collection day itself.
As a long term Carrera GT owner I was initially sceptical about the 918, as many were. But after a final test drive in a finished car, I realised I was wrong. The 918 was a very different car from the CGT; less a direct successor and more a cousin with its own unique personality.
The first 1,000 miles running in the car hinted at extraordinary performance. Never has keeping the revs low been less of a drag on performance, with the torque from the electric motors providing instant thrust.
Adventure #1
Porsche GB invited a number of 918 owners to drive to Le Mans 2015. The car by now was run in, and so ready for a road trip!
Of course my interest was in seeing whether Porsche could achieve victory in the 919 Hybrid; and this was my first ever trip to Le Mans.
Porsche laid on a fantastic trip including rooms in the temporary hotel that Porsche build for the event. And of course Porsche pulled off a fantastic win, which led to some significant celebrations in the hospitality suite!
Adventure #2
Next up was a trip to my favourite circuit. I went with a few friends, including the the sales executive at Porsche Guildford (Paul) who has looked after me so well for more than ten years.
We stayed at Sabine's cabin near the 'Ring, which was an absolute hoot. Sabine and Klaus are extremely welcoming hosts and we had more than a few merry nights!
I had planned to hire a Renault Megane RS from RSR to share with Paul, and just do a single lap in the 918.
But that single lap in the 918 was not enough! I've done a fair few laps of the 'Ring, but not in anything so outrageously powerful! The way the car accelerated up Kesselchen was little short of scary. But alongside the pace, the car felt utterly tied down - the damping for what is a relatively heavy car is just sensational. So I ended up doing ten laps and I could have easily gone on!
Outside Manthey Racing
Adventure #3
Fast forward to the autumn of 2015, and I had the chance to join a few friends comparing a McLaren P1 and 675LT with the 918. The weather was kind and so we were able to extend the cars.
It was a privilege to drive the P1. Wow. The sense of occasion is even greater than the 918, thanks to ultra low driving position and the rather extraordinary noises from the engine. The car feels much more agile at the helm, but there is a fair degree of turbo lag despite the e-motor torque fill.
Although less of a sense of occasion, I preferred the 675LT to the P1. It's just that bit more accessible and yet enthrallingly fast.
But I have to say - and you may accuse me of bias - I preferred the 918 to both. That instant torque just gives the car incredibly cross country pace and the conventional suspension connects the driver better to the road. And with the roof off, the noise from the exhaust is unique - pure race car.
Adventure #4
After a short winter layover, I was back out on the road for a Goodwood breakfast Club in 2016. I love going to these events; a proper petrolhead paradise
This fantastic photo was taken by Jo Kingman on the A3 just north of the Hindhead Tunnel.
Adventure #5
One of the joys of being a 918 owner is membership of the 918 Spyder Circle. Porsche set this up to create a community of owners, and to organise events which we could attend.
One of those is "Ice Force Levi", an ice driving event in Finland. It involved three days of driving on ice in a mixture of regular 911s, Turbos and GT3 RSs. We each had a car to ourself, and each group of 4-6 had two instructors.
I've done ice driving before, but not on this scale! The instructors do a fantastic job of pushing you to develop your skills in both 2- and 4-wheel drive cars. The approach is very different, and I particularly enjoyed trying to master drifting in the four wheel drive cars: the big difference being that you don't countersteer as you do in a two wheel drive car.
The highlights were a short, 20 minute drive in the 918 Spyder with the instructor pushing, pushing you to deploy all 875 bhp! What was fascinating was the way the car drifted. The initial slide was like a 2 wheel drive car and you could generate some big drift angles. But then, when you got back on the throttle the car would straighten up, and you could point the nose at the apex and execute a lovely 4-wheel drift.
And then we also had a chance to drive the 991 Cup car on ice - after a demonstration lap by no less than Brendan Hartley! The car's steering is so light and accurate: it was easier to drift than the other cars and the 20 minutes went by all too quickly.
Over dinner that evening, we were then treated to a passenger ride with either Brendan or another top-level driver at the helm of the Cup car. And this time we were taken out - at night - around a forest stage. I was glad to have had a glass of wine beforehand for fortification! But actually, it was just enormous fun
Adventure #6
In July I was invited to a BRDC track day at Silverstone and so decided this was the perfect opportunity to take the 918 on track, given the very high standard of driving. It was a chance in a relatively safe environment to push the car and try "Hot Lap" mode!
The day was dry, until the drive home when it poured with rain. This is where the car is so much more secure and friendly than its predecessor - the new Cup 2s are pretty decent in the wet, although standing water still requires great care.
Adventure #7
Fast forward to November, and I took part in another 918 Spyder Circle event at Portimao circuit. Two days of high intensity driving with professional instructors in GT3 RS, 991 Cup and 918 Spyder cars.
I'd seen the circuit on lots of YouTube videos, especially those by the excellent Chris Harris. but as is so often the case a video can't show the scale of the elevation changes. Bar the pit straight, there is almost nowhere where you aren't in a corner, working the car. And many of the corners are blind, hidden by crests. Just brilliant!
The RS was the friendly car. The 918 was the ballistic missile, reaching 290 kph at the end of the pit straight. And the Cup car on slicks was the serious motor! I was miles off the pace of the Cup car (as a passenger lap with Timo Bernhard later proved!) but it was a brilliant experience. You sit so close to the wheel, and it almost feels claustrophobic with the Hans device, seat wings near your head and roll cage.
The ongoing adventure
I've now completed 6,000 miles in the car and the great joy of it is that every drive is special.
There are time when I miss this...
...the third pedal of the CGT.
But the last 18 months have just been incredible. I am very fortunate to be able to own and enjoy such a car - and I intend to have many more adventures in the future!
Many thanks Stefan. Thanks for sharing. Awesome you are a lucky man. Your thoughts on comparison to the CGT would be helpful. I believe with more modern day rubber they are a lot less of a handful. My addiction has caught me out yet again and I am thinking of as a friend put it slimming down my collection and going the Carrera GT route. A very good friend has owned one from new and will never sell it. Truly a LeMans car for the road warts and all. Never drive it if you have had a drink. Never drive it if you have had a drink the night before. (his words). They sound like a challenge and I like a challenge. Makes you feel alive.
I really enjoyed reading this and great pictures too.
I love the photo showing the 918, P1 and 675 outside a Travelodge - must have been a fantastic sight for any other guests. These three cars would most definitely be in my fantasy garage.
As above, would be great to hear more about the comparison with the CGT.
I love the photo showing the 918, P1 and 675 outside a Travelodge - must have been a fantastic sight for any other guests. These three cars would most definitely be in my fantasy garage.
As above, would be great to hear more about the comparison with the CGT.
What a great read! I love to read about owners who actually use their cars instead of having them tucked away on a garage or driving round London.
Have you got any more trips or I'm guessing now it's time to tuck it up for the summer?
I'm also guessing your daily driver must be a porsche of some kind?
Have you got any more trips or I'm guessing now it's time to tuck it up for the summer?
I'm also guessing your daily driver must be a porsche of some kind?
SRT Hellcat said:
Many thanks Stefan. Thanks for sharing. Awesome you are a lucky man. Your thoughts on comparison to the CGT would be helpful. I believe with more modern day rubber they are a lot less of a handful. My addiction has caught me out yet again and I am thinking of as a friend put it slimming down my collection and going the Carrera GT route. A very good friend has owned one from new and will never sell it. Truly a LeMans car for the road warts and all. Never drive it if you have had a drink. Never drive it if you have had a drink the night before. (his words). They sound like a challenge and I like a challenge. Makes you feel alive.
Well, I completely agree with your last two sentences! The CGT and 918 have some things in common. A race-derived engine. Two part carbon tub. Similar dimensions.
But the driving experience is remarkably different. The CGT just feels more alive in your hands. The lack of stability control focuses the mind. (It does have a basic traction control system, but it tends to work by flashing a warning up after you've had the moment
). The gearbox is a defining difference. Pulling away from rest requires patience (it's not particularly hard), but once on the move it is a joy to use. The throttle response is so immediate and linear that matching revs is a pleasure, even with the super light flywheel.
The car has a slightly cab forward feel as you drive it, and is ultra responsive to the helm. I've not driven mine often on track (wtdoom is the authority on CGT's on track!), but I find the handling to be brilliant. I do really think about linking throttle and steering on the exit of corners, to avoid provoking the rear of the car.
The new tyres (Super Sports) do make a difference; there is more consistent feel from the steering; you just feel more keyed into the road.
And then there is the noise; whilst the 918 top-pipes do sound amazing, they are not as tuneful as that famous CGT howl. The first time I opened the CGT up in tunnel I thought I was been chased by a pack of F1 cars!
When not pressing on the 918 is the far more civilised car - the CGT does have a good sound system, you just need to be stationary to hear it! I have driven long trips in the CGT, once all the way down to Monaco over the Alps. It was not relaxing, but the drive up the Col de Vence (a good hour plus of amazing, fast alpine roads) will stay with me as one of the best drives I have ever had, with the V10 howl bouncing off the rocks. The fact you had to concentrate to keep between the green bits (well, the rocks on one side and thin air on the other
), just made it all the more special.Back at the garage I can pore over the details of the CGT, particularly the in-board suspension and gorgeous carbon fibre engine carrier for longer than is strictly sane
. Again in that respect that the 918 can't quite offer the same - all that you can access at the rear is the engine oil cover.I've owned the CGT since new, and like your friend, it is a keeper. I really do not think there is anything else like it and so I can only encourage your instincts!
All told, two brilliantly different cars born of a similar heritage, and both engineered as only Porsche know how.
Edited by stefan1 on Sunday 13th November 18:01
RSVP911 said:
Thanks for taking the time to do this - you have my dream garage , congratulations and enjoy in rude heath. Where was this by the way - there looks to be an Aladdin's cave of greatness in there
Thanks.Edited by RSVP911 on Sunday 13th November 14:31
This was a breakfast meet with SupercarDriver at the Octane Collection in Surrey. Lucas and the team there have some great cars and they're proper petrolheads too.
GarageQueen said:
great read......and a good amount of miles!!
what was your reasoning behind not choosing the weissach package? seems to add more sportiness
I didn't go for the Weissach pack for a number of reasons. The principal one is that it was a lot of money for not a lot of weight loss, once you added back the sound, air con, sound deadening etc. (as most did). what was your reasoning behind not choosing the weissach package? seems to add more sportiness
Second, I preferred the look of the standard wheels. The Weissach wheels are magnesium (like the CGT's), and so measurably lighter and importantly reduce unsprung mass, but at the end of the day I went for the standard alloy wheels.
And third, having chosen the liquid metal colour, again I felt the car looked better without the Weissach unpainted carbon bits (roof, door mirrors and rear wing).
Having driven both a Weissach car and standard car this week at Portimao, I was hard pushed to tell the difference between the two, and so I am glad I made the choices i did.
Cheers
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