Porsche 918 Spyder Concept

At the 2010 Geneva Motor Show Porsche has revealed the 918 Spyder Concept, a high-performance mid-engined sports car with an ultra-efficient hybrid powertrain that allows to achieve an emission level of just 70 grams CO2 per km and a fuel consumption of three litres/100 kilometres (94 mpg – New European Driving Cycle).

These results are combined with the performance of a super sports car: acceleration from a standstill to 100 km/h takes just under 3.2 seconds, and the top speed is over 320 km/h (198 mph).

The lap time on the Nordschleife of Nürburgring is less than 7:30 minutes, faster than a Carrera GT.

This open two-seater is powered by a high-speed V8 developing more than 500 bhp and running at maximum speed engine of 9,200 rpm as well as electric motors on the front and rear axle with overall mechanical output of 218 bhp (160 kW).

Design

The design of the 918 Spyder is reminiscent of racing cars such as the Porsche 917 Le Mans and the current Porsche RS Spyder.

The exterior combines racing car dimensions, balanced surfaces and high-tech sporty details, a synthesis of the brand’s design DNA "from and function".

Among variable-aerodynamic elements are the rear spoiler and the rear hoods which extend out of the headrests and integrate retractable air intakes with a ram air function.

Technical Features

The V8 combustion engine is a further development of the 3.4-litre power unit already featured in the RS Spyder racing car and positioned midship in front of the rear axle, giving the car the right set-up for high performance on the race track.

Power is transmitted to the wheels by a seven-speed gearbox which also transmits the power of the electric drive system to the rear axle.

The front-wheel electric drive powers the wheels through a firm transmission ratio.

The fluid-cooled lithium-ion battery is positioned behind the passenger cell. The big advantage of a plug-in hybrid is that the battery can be charged on the regular electrical network.

The car’s kinetic energy is converted into electrical energy fed into the battery when braking.

A button on the steering wheel allows the driver to choose among four different running modes: the E-Drive mode (pure-electric with a range of up to 25 km), the Hybrid and the Sport Hybrid mode, which uses both drive systems, but with a focus on performance and – finally – the Race Hybrid mode, for pure performance.

The lightweight modular body structure of the 918 Spyder features a monocoque bodyshell made of carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) and the use of magnesium and aluminium, which reduce the total weight to less than 1,490 kg while providing a very high level of torsional stiffness.

Interior

The interior features contoured sports bucket seats, and offer some hints at the interior architecture we may possibly see in production models of the future.

The three free-standing circular dials are inspired from the racing cars of the ‘60s, and express the brand’s "driver orientation" philosophy.

The center console rises up towards the front and houses a touch-sensitive surface for intuitive control of the car’s functions, thus consistently reducing the number of visible controls.

The driving controls are concentrated on the three-spoke multifunction steering wheel.

The variable driving modes are supplemented by a map switch enabling the driver to call up various drive programs and serving as the push-to-pass button for E-boosting, for example when overtaking.

Instrument illumination, finally, varies from green for the consumption-oriented modes to red for the performance-oriented driving programs.

The Range Manager uses the map in the navigation system to present the remaining range. In urban areas it also states whether the driver is able to reach a certain destination on electric power alone.

The Porsche 918 Spyder debuts at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show

(Source: Porsche)