Porsche 918 Spyder testing beings 08

Porsche has begun testing the 918 Spyder on the road. This takes Porsche’s super sports car of the future a step further with completion of the initial prototypes. The 918 Spyder will go into production at the end of September 2013 as planned, with the first customers receiving their vehicles before the end of 2013.

Porsche 918 Spyder Testing Begins 09Porsche 918 Spyder Testing Begins 11

The prototypes are clothed in camouflage that reflects the historical Porsche 917 racing cars. The focus is on the interplay between the highly sophisticated individual drive components. The combination of combustion engine and two independent electric motors – one on the front axle and one in the drive line, acting on the rear wheels – poses completely new demands on the development of the operating strategies.

Porsche 918 Spyder Concept from the 2010 Geneva Motor Show

Porsche 918 Spyder Concept from the 2010 Geneva Motor Show

“What we are doing with the 918 Spyder is redefining driving fun, efficiency and performance,” said Wolfgang Hatz, Member of the Executive Board Research and Development of Porsche AG. “They are therefore a critical component in this vehicle into which we have put all of our expertise and capacity for innovation.”

Porsche 918 Spyder 'Rolling Chassis' 01Porsche 918 Spyder 'Rolling Chassis' 02

Porsche recently had journalists over to experience the 918 Spyder in the passenger seat. Porsche called it a ‘rolling chassis’ and not a prototype since it was the raw, mechanical 918 Spyder without the clothes of carbon fibre on. If you haven’t heard yet, the 918 Spyder has the ability to smack you against the wall with just the figures. 770 hp, 0-62 mph in less than three seconds, a Nuburgring lap time of 7.22 seconds as tested on Porsche’s simulators and finally, fuel efficiency of 3 litres per 100km or 33.33 kpl. CO2 emissions are reported to be around the 70g/km.

Wolfgang Hatz, Member of the Executive Board Research and Development of Porsche AG with the Porsche 918 Spyder Rolling ChassisThe 4.6-litre V8 mill revs to 9000rpm and makes 570bhp, while the electric motor work to supplement the powertrain with an additional 270 horses! Yet Porsche has pegged the 918 Spyder at less than 1700 kg using a full carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) monocoque with unit carrier, fully adaptive aerodynamics, adaptive rear-axle steering and the upward-venting “top pipes” exhaust system. The concept 918 Spyder has air intakes in the place of these exhausts originally. We cannot agree on what would sound better just behind your head, air rushing into the engine, or exhaust gases being thrown out violently!

Porshce says the 918 Spyder is offering a glimpse of what Porsche Intelligent Performance may be capable of in future. If this is the future, we say Hello!

Porsche 918 Spyder Testing Begins 10

Porsche 918 Spyder Testing Begins 12