Porsche 918 Spyder

Porsche 918 Spyder at a glance

The 918 Spyder is a two-seat mid-engined roadster with a carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic monocoque, all-wheel drive through its front electric motor and a removable roof. More Porsche models, including the Carrera GT that preceded it as the brand's flagship supercar, are listed in our Porsche catalogue, and news about the car is collected under the Porsche 918 Spyder tag.

Exterior

The 918 Spyder is striking from every angle and instantly recognisable to enthusiasts, although few will ever see one on the road. LED headlights, a sculpted bonnet, an aerodynamic bumper with a lip and large intakes give it an aggressive face, and front aerodynamic elements add downforce. The side is dominated by large wheel arches and wheels, vents ahead of the front wheels, a deep channel along the lower door that guides air to the engine intake and a polished metal fuel-filler cap. Huge intakes at the corners of the bumper and further intakes behind the doors help keep the power on the road. The unusually designed mirrors stand out too.

The rear is spectacular. The exhaust pipes exit upwards just behind the seat headrests - an original solution that keeps them away from the heat-sensitive components below. Slim LED tail lights are linked by the spoiler with an integrated brake light. A large aerodynamic bumper with vents and an aluminium diffuser with another brake light complete the design. Where a normal car has a boot lid, the 918 has an adjustable rear wing for additional downforce.

Interior

The cabin feels nothing like a conventional interior and has much in common with the Carrera GT. The sports seats have pronounced side bolstering that holds occupants firmly in fast corners. Space is limited but not uncomfortable, and despite the low seating position visibility is good. A three-spoke sports steering wheel with many buttons and shift paddles faces three central dials for speed, engine revs and trip computer information. The compact gear selector has only P and D positions. A 7-inch infotainment and navigation screen sits at the top of the centre console, which flows down into the tunnel, where a second small display and touch-sensitive buttons control the climate and media systems. An 11-speaker audio system is available, and even more sporting seats were optional.

Hybrid drivetrain

The V8 is derived from the engine of the RS Spyder LMP2 race car. A seven-speed PDK dual-clutch gearbox drives the rear wheels, while the front motor has its own transmission and drives the front wheels, giving all-wheel drive. In pure electric mode the 918 can reach 150 km/h; its EPA-rated electric range is 19 km, and the official combined consumption quoted by Porsche is about 3 l/100 km.

Performance

Chassis

The carbon monocoque gives a very low centre of gravity, only slightly above the wheel centres, which helps the 918 corner exceptionally well. Race-derived rear-axle steering uses actuators in the multi-link rear suspension to steer the rear wheels by up to 3 degrees depending on speed and front steering angle, controlled by its own electronic unit.

The optional Weissach package added magnesium wheels, an extended rear diffuser, an Alcantara interior and additional carbon-fibre parts to reduce weight.

Price

At launch the 918 Spyder cost about €781,000 in Europe before options such as the Weissach package.

Strengths and weaknesses

The 918 Spyder's strengths are its extraordinary acceleration, the instant response that the electric motors add to the high-revving V8, all-wheel-drive traction, a chassis that makes huge performance usable, and the ability to drive silently on electric power in town. Its official consumption figure is remarkable for a car of this performance. Its weaknesses are the price, the tiny production run that makes it almost impossible to buy, limited luggage space and the weight of the hybrid system compared with a pure combustion supercar.

The 918 Spyder's main hybrid hypercar rivals were the Ferrari LaFerrari and McLaren P1; buyers also compared it with the Bugatti Veyron and Lamborghini Aventador.