Porsche 918 Spyder Explained

Porsche 918 Spyder
Production:September 2013–June 2015
Model Years:2013–2015[1]
Assembly:Germany: Stuttgart, Zuffenhausen
Predecessor:Porsche Carrera GT[2]
Successor:Porsche Mission X
Class:Sports car (S)
Layout:Mid-engine, all-wheel-drive
Doors:Conventional (918 Spyder)
Butterfly (918 RSR concept)
Engine: Porsche M18.00 90° V8
Transmission:7-speed PDK dual-clutch
Battery:6.8kWh liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery
Motor:2 electric motors on front and rear axle
Drivetrain:PHEV
Range: (EPA)
Electric Range: (EPA)
Weight:[3]
Designer:Michael Mauer, Hakan Saracoglu[4]

The Porsche 918 Spyder is a high performance sports car manufactured by German marque Porsche.[5] The 918 Spyder is a plug-in hybrid powered by a mid-mounted naturally aspirated V8 engine, developing at 8,700RPM, with two electric motors delivering an additional for a combined output of and of torque.[6] The 918 Spyder's 6.8kWh lithium-ion battery pack delivers an all-electric range of 12miles under the US Environmental Protection Agency's five-cycle tests.

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).[7] [8] The 918 Spyder was sold out in December 2014 and production ended in June 2015.

The 918 Spyder was first shown as a concept at the 80th Geneva Motor Show in March 2010. On 28 July 2010, after 2,000 declarations of interest, the supervisory board of Porsche AG approved series development of the 918 Spyder.[9] The production version was unveiled at the September 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. Porsche also unveiled the RSR racing variant of the 918 at the 2011 North American International Auto Show, which combined hybrid technology first used in the 997 GT3 R Hybrid, with styling from the 918 Spyder.[10] 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.[11]

Set to be the replacement for the 918, the Porsche Mission X was presented first, at the preamble to the centenary of the 91st 24 Hours of Le Mans, in June of 2023 and to be produced in 2025.

Specifications

The 918 Spyder is powered by a 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 9,200 rpm. In 2011 an RSR version was introduced, which offered 563 bhp at 10,300 rpm.

The engine weighs, according to Porsche, and delivers at 8,700RPM and of maximum torque at 6,700RPM.[12] This is supplemented by two electric motors delivering an additional 2100NaN0. One 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 electric motor directly drives the front axle; an electric clutch decouples the motor when not in use. The total system delivers and of torque. Porsche provided official performance figures of in 2.6 seconds, in 7.2 seconds, in 19.9 seconds and a top speed of .[6] [13] [14]

Those numbers were surpassed in independent tests which yielded 2.5 seconds for 0100 km/h, 7.0 seconds for 0200 km/h, 19.1 seconds for 0300 km/h, a top speed of and 17.75 seconds for the standing kilometre reaching a speed of .[15] [16] [17] [18]

In Car and Drivers independent test of the Porsche 918 they achieved in 2.2 seconds, in 4.9 seconds, in 17.5 seconds, and the quarter mile in 9.8 seconds.[19] [20] In Motor Trends 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 60mph in, and broke Motor Trend's figure 8 record at 22.2 seconds.[3]

The energy storage system is a 312-cell, liquid-cooled 6.8kWh 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. emissions are 79g/km and fuel consumption is under the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC).[21] 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 50kWh per 100 miles, which translates into a combined city/highway fuel economy of . When powered only by the gasoline engine, EPA's official combined city/highway fuel economy is .[22]

The 4.6 litre V8 petrol engine can recharge an empty battery using about one litre of fuel.[23] The supplied Porsche Universal Charger requires seven hours to charge the battery on a typical 120V household AC socket or two hours on a 240V charger. A DC charging station can restore the battery to full capacity in 25 minutes.[24]

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 18miles for the concept model. The official U.S. EPA all-electric range is . The total range with a full tank of gasoline and a fully charged battery is according to EPA tests.[22] Under the E-Drive mode the car can attain a maximum speed of . 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.[25] The chassis is a carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic monocoque and the brake system is boosted electrically (rather than the traditional vacuum boost).[26]

Sales and production

The production version was unveiled at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show.[27] 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.[28] [7] Sales in the United States began in June 2014.[29] Pricing for the 918 Spyder started at in Europe and in the U.S. According to its battery size, the 918 Spyder was eligible to a federal tax credit of up to .[30]

Production ended in June 2015 as scheduled.[31]

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.[32]

According to JATO Dynamics, a total of 105 units have been registered worldwide during the first nine months of 2014.[33] The United States is the leading market with 202 units delivered up to May 2015.[34], 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.[35] [36] [34] [37]

Weissach Package

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.[38]

Porsche 918 RSR

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 at 10,300RPM. The electric motors each provide an additional, giving a peak power output of . The six-speed gearbox is a development of the unit from the RS Spyder.[39]

Nürburgring lap time record

In September 2013 a 918 fitted with the optional 'Weissach Package' set a Nürburgring lap time of 6:57 on the road course, reducing the previous record by 14 seconds, and making it the first street-legal production car to break the 7-minute barrier.[29] [40]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Golden . Conner . The Porsche 918 Spyder: History, Photos, Specifications . MotorTrend . 3 July 2020 . 6 March 2023.
  2. Migliore. Greg. Porsche 918 Spyder approved for production. AutoWeek. 28 July 2010. 30 July 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20121011211551/http://www.autoweek.com/article/20100728/GREEN/100729843. 11 October 2012. dead.
  3. Web site: 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder First Test - Motor Trend. July 2014. 23 August 2017. motortrend.com. Motor Trend.
  4. Web site: From Porsche to Chery; top designer Hakan Saracoglu makes a Move. 26 February 2013. 11 July 2023. Joey. Wang. carnewschina.com. Car News China.
  5. Web site: Top Gear . Paul Horrell . First Drive: Porsche 918 Spyder Weissach Pack . 26 November 2013.
  6. Web site: Porsche 918 Spyder im Supertest . Sport auto. Horst von Saurma . 28 June 2014. 17 July 2018.
  7. Web site: Porsche 918 Spyder Officially Enters Production. Eric Loveday. InsideEVs.com. 18 September 2013. 19 September 2013.
  8. Web site: Cupler. Justin. 2013 Porsche 918 Spyder. TopSpeed. 11 November 2012. 30 October 2012.
  9. Porsche Presents 918 Spyder High-Performance Concept Sports Car in Geneva . . 28 July 2010 . 28 July 2010.
  10. Porsche 918 RSR – racing laboratory with even higher-performance hybrid drive . 10 January 2010 . 17 September 2011 . Porsche AG.
  11. Porsche Presents 918 Spyder High-Performance Concept Sports Car in Geneva . 2 March 2010 . 7 March 2010 . Porsche AG.
  12. Press Information 918 Spyder . . 2013 . 21 July 2019.
  13. Web site: Wolfcale. James. Final numbers for the 918 Spyder: 0-60 in 2.6 seconds. . 23 August 2017 . 18 November 2013.
  14. Web site: Febbo. Michael. Porsche 918 Spyder First Ride. Motor Trend. 23 August 2017. 11 October 2012.
  15. Auto Bild Sportscars 6/2017
  16. Auto 05/2015 http://www.germancarforum.com/attachments/11211770_682476881864049_1126760535_o-jpg.333918/
  17. Web site: Watch the Porsche 918 Spyder Max Out at 218 MPH. 3 March 2018.
  18. Web site: Porsche 918 Spyder: Hybridsportwagen im Test. June 2014.
  19. Web site: Performance Data and Complete Specs. 25 July 2014. 14 September 2014. Car and Driver.
  20. Web site: Porsche 918 Test Sheet -- Car and Driver. 16 May 2014. 14 September 2014. Car and Driver.
  21. Web site: Porsche's Plug-in Hybrid 918 Spyder Goes From Dream to Reality. press.porsche.com. Porsche. 7 October 2014. 11 October 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20141011091133/http://press.porsche.com/news/release.php?id=637.
  22. Web site: 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder. Fueleconomy.gov. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy. 30 May 2014. 2 June 2014.
  23. Web site: Chilton. Chris. Porsche 918 Spyder review (2013 onwards). MSN Cars. Microsoft. 3 March 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20131130055359/http://cars.uk.msn.com/reviews/porsche-918-spyder-review-2013-onwards. 30 November 2013. dead.
  24. Web site: Introducing the Porsche 918 Spyder. Porsche Press Release. Porsche Cars North America, Inc.. 3 March 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140104212808/http://press.porsche.com/news/release.php?id=787. 4 January 2014.
  25. News: 20 March 2010. Electric supercars: Highly charged motoring . The Economist. 394 . 8674 . 85–86 . 25 March 2010.
  26. Web site: Tesla Model S P85D: Dual motors, AWD, 691 hp, 3.2 to 60. Chris Cantle. Road & Track. 9 October 2014. 18 April 2015.
  27. Web site: Frankfurt 2013: Porsche 917 Spyder. AUSmotive.com . 10 December 2013. 10 September 2013.
  28. Web site: 2014 Porsche 918 Spyder . Michael Harley . Autoblog.com. 1 October 2012 . 14 October 2012.
  29. News: Frankfurt Motor Show: The Record-Breaking Porsche 918 Spyder Has Arrived. Jerry Garrett. The New York Times. 10 September 2013. 11 September 2013.
  30. News: Federal Tax Credits For Plug-In Hybrids, Electric Cars: What You Need To Know. Bengt Halvorson. The Washington Post. 20 August 2014. 20 August 2014.
  31. Web site: Porsche finishes production of the 918 Spyder plug-in hybrid; platform for advanced development for vehicles and manufacturing. Mike Millikin. Green Car Congress. 19 June 2015. 19 June 2015.
  32. Porsche exceeds previous year's sales by November - Last unit of the 918 Spyder sold . Porsche Cars North America . . Atlanta . 10 December 2014 . 12 December 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141216022835/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/porsche-exceeds-previous-years-sales-175900089.html . 16 December 2014 .
  33. Web site: While EV sales rise, JATO counts 4,000 fewer Model S than Tesla . Bertel Schmitt. Daily Kanban . 3 December 2014. 6 December 2014.
  34. Web site: Porsche 918 Spyder. Timothy Cain. Good Car Bad Car. June 2015. 20 June 2015.
  35. Web site: Autoverkäufe nach Modellen - Modellstatistik. de. Passenger cars by model - Statistics by model. Vereinigung Schweizer Automobil-Importeure. Auto Schweiz Suisse. 6 December 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140202205708/http://www.auto-schweiz.ch/statistiken/autoverkaeufe-nach-modellen/. 2 February 2014. dead. Under "Modellstatistik" download the xls file "Januar - Oktober 2014" for 2014 sales.
  36. Web site: Actuele verkoopcijfers. nl. Current sales. RAI. RAI Vereniging. 24 November 2014. 6 December 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150112014446/http://www.raivereniging.nl/artikel/marktinformatie/actuele-verkoopcijfers/verkoopstatistieken.html. 12 January 2015. Download the pdf file for detailed sales by model during the first ten months of 2014: "nieuwverkoop personenautos 201410 ".
  37. Web site: Nyregistreringar oktober 2014. sv. New registrations in October 2014. Bil Sweden. Bil Sweden. 3 November 2014. 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.
  38. Web site: Bonhams : 2015 Porsche 918 'Weissach' SpyderVIN. WPOCA2A18FS800846. 2021-02-24. www.bonhams.com.
  39. Web site: Porsche 918 RSR – hybride racelab met eerbetoon aan Gijs van Lennep . porsche.nl . 21 July 2019 . nl.
  40. Web site: Porsche 918 Spyder breaks 7 minute barrier. AUSringers.com . 10 September 2013 . 10 September 2013.