Just when it seemed there were no surprises left at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show, Porsche has gone and shocked the world with the unveiling of the midengine 918 Spyder concept. The car is a plug-in hybrid all right, but it's an open-top plug-in hybrid with a mid-mounted V8. How cool is that?
The V8 is evolved from the 3.4-liter engine in Porsche's RS Spyder LMP2 racecar. It makes "over 500 horsepower," according to Porsche, and has a 9,200-rpm redline. It joins forces with electric motors mounted in both the front and rear axles that make a combined 218 hp. Porsche's PDK seven-speed twin-clutch automated manual transmission delivers power to the rear wheels, while the two front motors drive the front wheels directly through a fixed ratio.
Get this concept car on a track and you'd be timing it at 3.2 seconds to 60 mph, says Porsche. That's quicker than a Carrera GT and would almost certainly make it the quickest Porsche road car ever. It would also be the most fuel-efficent, as consumption is said to be on the order of 3 liters per 100 km on the European test cycle, which is around about 78 mpg.
A lithium-ion battery pack mounted behind the 918 Spyder's passenger compartment provides juice for the electric motors. In addition to the plug-in capability, the batteries regenerate using KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System), the system developed for Formula 1 that recovers energy that would otherwise be lost as heat during braking.
More photos and details after the jump.
The Porsche 918 Spyder offers no fewer than four driving modes, ranging from an all-electric mode (with a cruising range of 16 miles) to a max attack hybrid mode for the racetrack. An e-boost button would provide an extra jolt of electric power for overtaking.
Of course, the midengine 918 Spyder also has an impressively lightweight structure. The unit-body is carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic, and naturally Porsche says it has made liberal use of aluminum and magnesium components. Curb weight is said to be 3,285 pounds.
Even with all the high technology on this car, Porsche is keen to emphasize the 918 Spyder concept's place in company tradition. Styling cues are cribbed from the iconic 917. In the cockpit, the three dials of the gauge pack (speedometer, tachometer and energy management) are meant to look they've come straight out of a Porsche racecar from the 1960s, though we're sure those old cars didn't have illlumination that changed from green to red, depending on the driving mode. Look for such retro-inspired details to show up in future production cars.
Another interesting detail in the Porsche 918 Spyder: The seats form a structural part of the cockpit.
rivernile says:
12:30 PM, 03/ 1/10
Wow! This is the best looking thing Porsche has put on the road. And what I admire more about it, is that it has broken away from the 911 look. Sadly I can only look at the picture and sigh, knowing that I won't be able to afford one.
blueguydotcom says:
12:53 PM, 03/ 1/10
Nice.
jpeyton89 says:
01:00 PM, 03/ 1/10
Not to sound anti-green hypercar or anything, but I'd kill to see a version of this with a petrol motor mounted in it. Carrera V10 anyone?
jazzor says:
01:44 PM, 03/ 1/10
"Porsche's PDK 7-speed, twin-clutch automated manual transmission delivers power to the rear wheels, while the two front motors drive the front wheels directly through a fixed ratio."
Kinda like what Mitsu wants to do with it's 2013 Evo XI Hybrid... I guess they haven't completely lost their mind after all then!
jmaroun says:
01:46 PM, 03/ 1/10
Wow! We are witnessing the beginnings of automotive revolution. 50 years of relative innactivity is all going to significantly now.
questionlp says:
02:51 PM, 03/ 1/10
@jpeyton89,
It has a petrol engine in it, which is complemented by two electric engines.
speedrcr says:
02:52 PM, 03/ 1/10
Hey...IL...thanks for the screensavers! Porsche4Life!
kr777 says:
03:29 PM, 03/ 1/10
This car looks so GOOD, maybe the best looking Porsche!
cah11705 says:
03:31 PM, 03/ 1/10
Second best looking Porsche in my opinion that I can think of off hand. I love it, especially if all the drive train info is true and if this actually become a real car.
sabastian says:
04:25 PM, 03/ 1/10
Lots of Carrera GT in there...I think it looks pretty fantastic. How is it that we haven't seen this car or heard anything about it until now? It's been around the ring already?...Where were the spy photographers? Asleep?
cr_driver says:
04:32 PM, 03/ 1/10
Freakingly unbelievable!!!!!!!!!!
WITNESS........
huyracing says:
04:33 PM, 03/ 1/10
my god, that is hot!
stovt001 says:
05:49 PM, 03/ 1/10
Aside from the wheels and the hybrid stuff, I love it! It is nice to have a look other than "911 in a different body style". With a conventional engine setup is should be a nice low weight sports car.
lexusaddict says:
07:17 PM, 03/ 1/10
can i- can i - can i- get a WITNESS
lexusaddict says:
07:29 PM, 03/ 1/10
back resembles the R8 but it works. again its only a concept. aside the poison venom stitching which is desperately good looking the interior looks production ready
calspecial68 says:
07:35 PM, 03/ 1/10
Sweet baby jesus.....
This has gotta be the most amazing Porsche OR hybrid ive ever seen. I would without a doubt purchase this car if i could ever afford it. I mean really, 500+ hp, around 78 mpg, and sexier than any other car on the road. Gotta have it!
One query though, unless ive missed the info, what material are the wheels made of? You never mention what those crazy wheels are made of.
stovt001 says:
11:49 PM, 03/ 1/10
Yeah the back is kinda R8ish but that's not a bad look to begin with an it works perfectly in this application. The back might just be the best side of this car.
tommyboy23 says:
11:56 PM, 03/ 1/10
This car is light years ahead of anything else that's even in concept form if the performance/efficiency numbers all pan out. The amount of technology they've wrapped into this small and beautiful package is astonishing. Even the interior is incredible.
I just hope that the VW group doesn't screw around with Porsche too much, this was most likely designed before VW took over the company.
This is my new - "If I could buy any car" - car........even if it's not for sale. If I were Warren Buffet rich I would pay for the development of this car. It's absolutely perfect, even without being a hybrid.....but it is, which make it even more mind blowing. Plus, even though it will be tacky in 3 years, I dig the neon green trim on the interior and the exterior badging.
arctica6 says:
12:43 AM, 03/ 2/10
Easily the most excited I've been for a car in a while and thank you IL so much for providing pic's I can actually use with my 1680 by 1050 monitor without having a bunch of black around the picture or having to stretch it.
Sexiest car of the new year PERIOD
bimmeister says:
06:46 AM, 03/ 2/10
ShooooooooWheeeeeeeeeeeeeet!
The future of automotive excellence is upon us, and Porsche is on the forefront.
I am really glad to see the automotive technology finally coming together and begin to take off - Porsche is leading the pack by using the latest technology and taking full advantage by incorporating it into traditional Porsche design.
End result - A State of the Art, pure driving machine made to make a man feel like he's in heaven.
I hope other manufacturers follow in full pursuit, to make these types of vehicles more affordable, even for common folks...right - dream on....
mikeyn says:
08:31 AM, 03/ 2/10
Holy shnitzel! this is one sexy looking porsche...I agree that it is about time they get away from the 911 look. I understand that this technology isn't cheap but damn I wish they can make something like this a little more affordable.
I also think they nailed the design on the new cayenne.
bassboat says:
08:47 AM, 03/ 2/10
Now if we can just get the price down to $affordable.
carfreak13 says:
10:20 AM, 03/ 2/10
this is some what like the GT-R hybrid... ..i think
kdoodoo says:
11:15 AM, 03/ 2/10
Worst Porsche ever.
Always whenever VW takes over the brand the first car produced are bad.
Too much tech, electronics are not for true Porsche.
Even design looks bad, too futuristic.
carfinatic531 says:
04:20 PM, 03/ 2/10
car looks amazing and the rear kind of looks like that of an audi
carfinatic531 says:
04:20 PM, 03/ 2/10
car looks amazing and the rear kind of looks like that of an audi
jederino says:
05:25 PM, 03/ 2/10
I like the design, and I seriously am deciding whether I can become wealthy enough to afford this! However, where did they come up with 78 mpg? It's a plug in, yes, but it has 500 horsepower from a high-revving V8. Also, I don't see F1 cars getting fantastic mileage out of KERS. Are they pulling some fuzzy-math, a la Chevy Volt?