Porsche 918 Spyder plug-in hybrid development showed how electrification could support extreme performance as well as efficiency. Final tuning improved both acceleration and electric-only performance before customer deliveries.
The 918 Spyder Beat Its Own Performance Targets
Final tuning measures for Porsche hybrid super sports car
Atlanta. Shortly before delivery of the first vehicles, the Porsche 918 Spyder is beating its own benchmark values. Marking the success of the final tuning measures, the Porsche super sports car is now even more capable of putting in a strong sprinting performance. The vehicle now accelerates from zero to 60 mph in just 2.5 seconds (-0.2 seconds), and with the Weissach package, it accelerates from zero to 124 mph on the track in 7.2 seconds (-0.5 seconds). It reaches the 186 mph mark after 19.9 seconds (-2.1 seconds) on the track.
Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser, Senior Vice President 918 Spyder, highlights the significance of these results: “We have used all options available up to now to electrify the 918 Spyder, working right up to the last minute to do so.”
The enhancements also bring benefits in terms of the electrical performance delivered by the hybrid super sports car. The electric motors (one each on the front and rear axles) allow the 918 Spyder to accelerate from zero to 62 mph in 6.2 seconds, without producing any emissions. Such a performance marks a reduction of seven tenths of a second on the previous time. With the Weissach package fitted, this electric sprinting time is reduced to 6.1 seconds.
The 918 Spyder complete with Weissach package currently holds the lap record for road vehicles on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, boasting a time of 6:57 minutes. Final U.S. EPA fuel economy estimates will be available closer to launch.
Source: Porsche
Related: plug-in sports cars and efficient vehicles at NAIAS 2014.
Electrification Added Performance, Not Just Efficiency
The 918 Spyder used electric motors on both axles alongside its combustion engine. That architecture helped deliver instant torque, all-wheel-drive capability and electric-only operation.
For more electrified performance coverage, see our Porsche plug-in hybrid test drive.
Conclusion
The 918 Spyder helped prove that hybrid technology could belong in a supercar. It turned electrification into a performance tool as well as an efficiency strategy.
Source: Porsche.
