Porsche 918 Spyder
The Porsche 918 Spyder is a high performance sports car manufactured by German marque Porsche.[6] The 918 Spyder is a plug-in hybrid powered by a mid-mounted naturally aspirated 4.6 L (4,593 cc) V8 engine, developing 447 kW (608 PS; 599 hp) at 8,700 RPM, with two electric motors delivering an additional 210 kW (286 PS; 282 hp) for a combined output of 652 kW (875 hp) and 1,280 N⋅m (944 lbf⋅ft) of torque.[7][8] The 918 Spyder's 6.8 kWh lithium-ion battery pack delivers an all-electric range of 19 km (12 mi) under the US Environmental Protection Agency's five-cycle tests.[3]
| Porsche 918 Spyder | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Porsche AG |
| Production | September 2013–June 2015 918 units |
| Model years | 2013–2015[1] |
| Assembly | Germany: Stuttgart, Zuffenhausen |
| Designer | Michael Mauer, Hakan Saracoglu[2] |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Sports car (S) |
| Body style | |
| Layout | Mid-engine, all-wheel-drive |
| Doors | Conventional (918 Spyder) Butterfly (918 RSR concept) |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 4.6 L (4,593 cc) Porsche M18.00 V8 |
| Electric motor | 2 electric motors on front and rear axle |
| Power output | 652 kW (887 PS; 875 hp) |
| Transmission | 7-speed PDK dual-clutch |
| Hybrid drivetrain | PHEV |
| Battery | 6.8 kWh liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery |
| Range | 680 km (420 mi) (EPA)[3] |
| Electric range | 19 km (12 mi) (EPA)[3] |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,730 mm (107.5 in) |
| Length | 4,643 mm (182.8 in) |
| Width | 1,940 mm (76.4 in) |
| Height | 1,167 mm (45.9 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,634–1,720 kg (3,602–3,791 lb)[4] |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Porsche Carrera GT[5] |
| Successor | Porsche Mission X |
Production began on 18 September 2013, with deliveries initially scheduled to begin in December 2013, and a starting price of ≈€781,000 (US$845,000 or £711,000).[9][10][11] The 918 Spyder was sold out in December 2014 and production ended in June 2015.[12]
The 918 Spyder was first shown as a concept at the 80th Geneva Motor Show in March 2010.[9] On 28 July 2010, after 2,000 declarations of interest, the supervisory board of Porsche AG approved series development of the 918 Spyder.[13] The production version was unveiled at the September 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show.[14] Porsche also unveiled the RSR racing variant of the 918 at the 2011 North American International Auto Show, which combines hybrid technology first used in the 997 GT3 R Hybrid, with styling from the 918 Spyder.[15] However, the 918 RSR did not make it to production. The 918 Spyder was the second plug-in hybrid car manufactured by Porsche, after the 2014 Panamera S E-Hybrid.[16]
Specifications edit
The 918 Spyder is powered by a 4,593 cc (4.6 L; 280.3 cu in) naturally aspirated V8 engine built on the same architecture as the one used in the RS Spyder Le Mans Prototype racing car without any engine belts.
In developing the V8 for the 918 Spyder the bore remained 95 mm with the stroke increased from 59.9 mm (for 3397 cc) to 81 mm (for 4593 cc). The engine ran to 9200 rpm. In 2011 an RSR version was introduced, which offered 563 bhp at 10,300 rpm.
The engine weighs 135 kg (298 lb) according to Porsche and delivers 447 kW (608 PS; 599 hp) at 8,700 RPM and 540 N⋅m (398 lbf⋅ft) of maximum torque at 6,700 RPM.[8] This is supplemented by two electric motors delivering an additional 210 kW (286 PS; 282 hp). One 115 kW (156 PS; 154 hp) electric motor drives the rear wheels in parallel with the engine and also serves as the main generator. This motor and engine deliver power to the rear axle via a 7-speed gearbox coupled to Porsche's own PDK double-clutch system. The front 95 kW (129 PS; 127 hp) electric motor directly drives the front axle; an electric clutch decouples the motor when not in use. The total system delivers 652 kW (887 PS; 875 hp) and 1,280 N⋅m (944 lbf⋅ft) of torque.[8] Porsche provided official performance figures of 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) in 2.6 seconds, 0–200 km/h (0–124 mph) in 7.2 seconds, 0–300 km/h (0–186 mph) in 19.9 seconds and a top speed of 345 km/h (214 mph).[7][11][17][18]
Those numbers were surpassed in independent tests which yielded 2.5 seconds for 0–100 km/h, 7.0 seconds for 0–200 km/h, 19.1 seconds for 0–300 km/h, a top speed of 352 km/h (218.7 mph) and 17.75 seconds for the standing kilometre reaching a speed of 295.9 km/h (183.9 mph).[19][20][21][22]
In Car and Driver's independent test of the Porsche 918 they achieved 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) in 2.2 seconds,[i] 0–100 mph (0–161 km/h) in 4.9 seconds, 0–180 mph (0–290 km/h) in 17.5 seconds, and the quarter mile in 9.8 seconds.[ii][25][26] In Motor Trend's independent test the Porsche 918 set a production-car track record at Willow Springs Raceway. With a time of 2.4 seconds, it was the fastest car to 60 mph that they had ever tested. It stopped from 60 mph (97 km/h) in 94 ft (29 m), and broke Motor Trend's figure 8 record at 22.2 seconds.[4]
The energy storage system is a 312-cell, liquid-cooled 6.8 kWh lithium-ion battery positioned behind the passenger cell. In addition to a plug-in charge port at the passenger-side B pillar, the batteries are also charged by regenerative braking and by excess output from the engine when the car is coasting. CO2 emissions are 79 g/km and fuel consumption is 3 L/100 km (94 mpg‑imp; 78 mpg‑US) under the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC).[16][27] The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under its five-cycle tests rated the 2015 model year Porsche 918 Spyder energy consumption in all-electric mode at 50 kWh per 100 miles, which translates into a combined city/highway fuel economy of 3.5 L/100 km (81 mpg‑imp; 67 mpg‑US). When powered only by the gasoline engine, EPA's official combined city/highway fuel economy is 22 mpg‑US (11 L/100 km; 26 mpg‑imp).[3]
The 4.6 litre V8 petrol engine can recharge an empty battery on about two litres of fuel.[28] The supplied Porsche Universal Charger requires seven hours to charge the battery on a typical 120 V household AC socket or two hours on a 240 V charger. A DC charging station can restore the battery to full capacity in 25 minutes.[29]
The 918 Spyder offers five different running modes: E-Drive allows the car to run under battery power alone, using the rear electric motor and front motor, giving a range of 29 kilometres (18 mi) for the concept model.[29] The official U.S. EPA all-electric range is 12 mi (19 km). The total range with a full tank of gasoline and a fully charged battery is 420 miles (680 km) according to EPA tests.[3] Under the E-Drive mode the car can attain a maximum speed of 150 km/h (93 mph).[9] Two hybrid modes (Hybrid, and Race) use both the engine and electric motors to provide the desired levels of economy and performance. In Race mode a push-to-pass button initiates the Hot Lap setting, which delivers additional electrical power.[30] The chassis is a carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic monocoque and the brake system is boosted electrically (rather than the traditional vacuum boost).[31]
Sales and production edit
The production version was unveiled at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show.[14] The 918 Spyder was produced in a limited series and it was developed in Weissach and assembled in Zuffenhausen for the 2014 model year. Production for the 2014 model year started on 18 September 2013, with deliveries scheduled to begin in December 2013.[9][10] Sales in the United States began in June 2014.[32] Pricing for the 918 Spyder started at €781,000 in Europe and US$845,000 in the U.S.[11] According to its battery size, the 918 Spyder was eligible to a federal tax credit of up to US$3,667.[33]
Production ended in June 2015 as scheduled.[12]
The country with the most orders is the United States with 297 units, followed by China and Germany with approximately 100 orders each, and Canada ordering 35 units.[34]
According to JATO Dynamics, a total of 105 units have been registered worldwide during the first nine months of 2014.[35] The United States is the leading market with 202 units delivered up to May 2015.[36] As of October 2014[update], a total of 9 units were registered in Switzerland, 6 in the Netherlands, 5 units in Canada, 4 in Sweden, 3 in Brazil and 1 in South Africa.[37][38][36][39]
Weissach Package edit
The Weissach Package is a weight saving and aerodynamics package offered by Porsche for the 918 Spyder. It was an $84,000 factory option in the US. The package included magnesium wheels specially manufactured by BBS, an extended rear diffuser, and interior parts covered in Alcantara instead of leather. The windscreen frame, roof, rear wings, and rear-view mirrors were also made out of carbon fiber.[40]
Porsche 918 RSR edit
At the 2011 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Porsche unveiled the RSR racing variant of the 918 Spyder. Instead of using plug-in hybrid technology, power for the two electric motors is provided by a flywheel accumulator KERS system that sits beside the driver in the passenger compartment. The V8 is a further development of the direct injection engine from the RS Spyder race car developing 414 kW (563 PS; 555 hp) at 10,300 RPM. The electric motors each provide an additional 150 kW (200 PS; 200 hp), giving a peak power output of 564 kW (767 PS; 756 hp). The six-speed gearbox is a development of the unit from the RS Spyder.[41]
Nürburgring lap time record edit
In September 2013 a 918 fitted with the optional 'Weissach Package' set a Nürburgring lap time of 6:57 on the 20.6 km (12.8 mi) road course, reducing the previous record by 14 seconds, and making it the first street-legal production car to break the 7-minute barrier.[32][42]
Gallery edit
- The 918 Spyder concept at the High Museum
- Rear view of the 918 Spyder Concept
- The 918 Spyder concept badge
- The 918 RSR concept at the Geneva Motor Show 2011
- The 918 RSR concept at the Geneva Motor Show 2011
- The 918 RSR centre console and flywheel
- The 918 Spyder prototype (black) in Monaco
- A 918 Spyder in a PTS Viola Metallic colour
- 918 Spyder Interior
See also edit
Notes edit
References edit
- ^ Golden, Conner (3 July 2020). "The Porsche 918 Spyder: History, Photos, Specifications". MotorTrend. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
- ^ Wang, Joey (26 February 2013). "From Porsche to Chery; top designer Hakan Saracoglu makes a Move". carnewschina.com. Car News China. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
- ^ a b c d e U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy (30 May 2014). "2015 Porsche 918 Spyder". Fueleconomy.gov. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
- ^ a b "2015 Porsche 918 Spyder First Test - Motor Trend". motortrend.com. Motor Trend. July 2014. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
- ^ Migliore, Greg (28 July 2010). . AutoWeek. Archived from the original on 11 October 2012. Retrieved 30 July 2010.
- ^ Paul Horrell (26 November 2013). "First Drive: Porsche 918 Spyder Weissach Pack". Top Gear.
- ^ a b Horst von Saurma (28 June 2014). "Porsche 918 Spyder im Supertest". Sport auto. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
- ^ a b c "Press Information 918 Spyder" (PDF) (Press release). Porsche AG. 2013. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
- ^ a b c d Michael Harley (1 October 2012). "2014 Porsche 918 Spyder". Autoblog.com. Retrieved 14 October 2012.
- ^ a b Eric Loveday (18 September 2013). "Porsche 918 Spyder Officially Enters Production". InsideEVs.com. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
- ^ a b c Cupler, Justin (30 October 2012). "2013 Porsche 918 Spyder". TopSpeed. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
- ^ a b Mike Millikin (19 June 2015). "Porsche finishes production of the 918 Spyder plug-in hybrid; platform for advanced development for vehicles and manufacturing". Green Car Congress. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
- ^ "Porsche Presents 918 Spyder High-Performance Concept Sports Car in Geneva" (Press release). Porsche AG. 28 July 2010. Retrieved 28 July 2010.
- ^ a b "Frankfurt 2013: Porsche 917 Spyder". AUSmotive.com. 10 December 2013. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
- ^ "Porsche 918 RSR – racing laboratory with even higher-performance hybrid drive" (Press release). Porsche AG. 10 January 2010. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
- ^ a b "Porsche Presents 918 Spyder High-Performance Concept Sports Car in Geneva" (Press release). Porsche AG. 2 March 2010. Retrieved 7 March 2010.
- ^ Wolfcale, James (18 November 2013). "Final numbers for the 918 Spyder: 0-60 in 2.6 seconds". Road & Track. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
- ^ Febbo, Michael (11 October 2012). "Porsche 918 Spyder First Ride". Motor Trend. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
- ^ Auto Bild Sportscars 6/2017
- ^ Auto 05/2015 http://www.germancarforum.com/attachments/11211770_682476881864049_1126760535_o-jpg.333918/
- ^ "Watch the Porsche 918 Spyder Max Out at 218 MPH". 3 March 2018.
- ^ "Porsche 918 Spyder: Hybridsportwagen im Test". June 2014.
- ^ Hoffman, Connor (7 December 2019). "The Quickest Cars of the Decade (with 1-foot rollout)". Car and Driver. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
- ^ Colwell, C.K. (20 December 2020). "2020 in Review: Testing Winners and Losers". Car and Driver. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
- ^ "Performance Data and Complete Specs". Car and Driver. 25 July 2014. Retrieved 14 September 2014.
- ^ "Porsche 918 Test Sheet -- Car and Driver" (PDF). Car and Driver. 16 May 2014. Retrieved 14 September 2014.
- ^ . press.porsche.com. Porsche. Archived from the original on 11 October 2014. Retrieved 7 October 2014.
- ^ Chilton, Chris. . MSN Cars. Microsoft. Archived from the original on 30 November 2013. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
- ^ a b . Porsche Press Release. Porsche Cars North America, Inc. Archived from the original on 4 January 2014. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
- ^ "Electric supercars: Highly charged motoring". The Economist. Vol. 394, no. 8674. 20 March 2010. pp. 85–86. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
- ^ Chris Cantle (9 October 2014). "Tesla Model S P85D: Dual motors, AWD, 691 hp, 3.2 to 60". Road & Track. Retrieved 18 April 2015.
- ^ a b Jerry Garrett (10 September 2013). "Frankfurt Motor Show: The Record-Breaking Porsche 918 Spyder Has Arrived". The New York Times. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
- ^ Bengt Halvorson (20 August 2014). "Federal Tax Credits For Plug-In Hybrids, Electric Cars: What You Need To Know". The Washington Post. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
- ^ Porsche Cars North America (10 December 2014). (Press release). Atlanta: Yahoo! News. Archived from the original on 16 December 2014. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
- ^ Bertel Schmitt (3 December 2014). "While EV sales rise, JATO counts 4,000 fewer Model S than Tesla". Daily Kanban. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
- ^ a b Timothy Cain (June 2015). "Porsche 918 Spyder". Good Car Bad Car. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
- ^ Vereinigung Schweizer Automobil-Importeure. [Passenger cars by model - Statistics by model] (in German). Auto Schweiz Suisse. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 6 December 2014. Under "Modellstatistik" download the xls file "Januar - Oktober 2014" for 2014 sales.
- ^ RAI (24 November 2014). [Current sales] (in Dutch). RAI Vereniging. Archived from the original on 12 January 2015. Retrieved 6 December 2014. Download the pdf file for detailed sales by model during the first ten months of 2014: "nieuwverkoop personenautos 201410 23 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine".
- ^ Bil Sweden (3 November 2014). "Nyregistreringar oktober 2014" [New registrations in October 2014] (in Swedish). Bil Sweden. Retrieved 4 October 2014. Download file "PressRel1410.pdf" see table: "Nyregistrerade miljöpersonbilar oktober 2014" with summary of plug-in passenger car sales by model between January and October 2014.
- ^ "Bonhams : 2015 Porsche 918 'Weissach' SpyderVIN. WPOCA2A18FS800846". www.bonhams.com. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
- ^ "Porsche 918 RSR – hybride racelab met eerbetoon aan Gijs van Lennep". porsche.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 21 July 2019.
- ^ "Porsche 918 Spyder breaks 7 minute barrier". AUSringers.com. 10 September 2013. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
External links edit
- Official Porsche website