Porsche 918 Spyder

Porsche has unveiled what looks to be a better-looking version of the Carrera GT to the motor-head public at the Geneva Motor Show. The mid-engine 918 Spyder concept is a plug-in hybrid that also utilizes a 3.4-liter V-8 for propulsion. The electric motors at both the front and rear axles (yes, that means all-wheel drive) provide a combined output of 218 hp. The engine’s power will be routed solely to the rear wheels via a seven-speed PDK.




With more than 500 hp on tap and a curb weight of a mere 3,285 pounds, performance is nothing short of extraordinary. Zero-to-60 mph is a scant 3.2 seconds, top speed touches 198 mph, and the car is said to get 78 miles to the gallon. Does it sound like Porsche is trying to sell you on a pyramid scheme? The lithium-ion battery pack that powers the electric motors, three in total, is squeezed between the back of the passenger cabin and the engine. You can plug the battery in and it is also recharged via regenerative braking.

The 918 runs in one of four driving modes:



The E-Drive mode is for running the car under electric power alone, with a range of up to 16 miles. In the Hybrid mode, the 918 Spyder uses both the electric motors and the combustion engine as a function of driving conditions and requirements, offering a range from particularly fuel efficient to extra powerful.





The Sport Hybrid mode uses both drive systems, but with the focus on performance. Most of the drive power goes to the rear wheels.

In the Race Hybrid mode the drive systems are focused on pure performance with the highest standard of driving dynamics on the track, running at the limit to their power and dynamic output. With the battery sufficiently charged, a push-to-pass button feeds in additional electrical power (E-Boost), when overtaking or for even better performance.