![]() ![]() Steering is precise and crisp, though not as communicative as the rear-drive-only cars in the Porsche lineup, and the movement of the chassis is communicated perfectly to the driver through the seat. Despite weighing about 800 pounds more than the lightest of the Boxster and Cayman line, the 918 Spyder's mid-engine layout and brilliant powertrain make it feel much like its smaller sibling in terms of dynamics and balance. Handling is a historical Porsche strength, and nowhere is this better evidenced than in the 918 Spyder. In all, the experience from behind the wheel of the 918 Spyder is exactly what you'd expect of the most expensive, fastest Porsche built today-and yet it's also more impressive than you'd think, in how it all comes together seamlessly and fluidly. In E-Power mode, the silence of the drivetrain is broken only by a futuristic electric whirr, calming the driver into a more relaxed pace, as suits a completely electric car around town. In Hybrid mode, the 918 Spyder is still a very fast super sports car, but it's clear some of the car's performance is being kept in reserve. Acceleration is instantaneous and seemingly unending when in the higher-performance Sport Hybrid, Race Hybrid, or Hot Lap modes. ![]() As the name indicates, Hot Lap mode is only suited to brief runs for top times.ĭriving the 918 Spyder on the track at the Circuit of the Americas and on the roads and highways around Austin, Texas, we found it to be a massively impressive-and surprisingly normal-vehicle. For maximum velocity, however, Hot Lap mode takes the 918 to its extremes, eliminating the recharge cycle on the battery to put the most power possible to the wheels. Race Hybrid mode pushes both the electric drive system and the V-8 engine to maximum capacity, yielding impressive performance. Hybrid and Sport Hybrid modes each provide a degree of mixed propulsion, with economy and sportiness in a progressively more aggressive balance. Even in this limited mode, the 918 Spyder can reach 93 mph top speed and accelerate to 62 mph in about seven seconds. ![]() E-Power mode uses only electricity to power the car, with a range of about 18 miles from its 6.8-kilowatt-hour battery. In total, five drive modes are available through the steering wheel controls: E-Power, Hybrid, Sport Hybrid, Race Hybrid, and Hot Lap. The 918 is a plug-in hybrid, allowing the battery to reach full charge in less than seven hours from a standard 110-volt household socket, or in less than 30 minutes with the optional DC fast charger on an industrial circuit. Two electric motors are used, one for the front axle and one for the rear the front axle can drive the Spyder on electric power alone, or contribute to the engine and rear motor's output for a through-the-road hybrid setup. Instead of a massive, powerful engine, the 918 uses a combination of a compact and potent 4.6-liter V-8 engine rated at 608 horsepower with a hybrid electric drive system that brings total output to 887 horsepower and 940 pound-feet of torque. ![]() A large, floating, capacitive center stack sets the 918 apart as something more than the usual.Īnd more than the usual is indeed the story when it comes to the 918 Spyder's drivetrain. Inside, the 918 Spyder is not so different from more attainable Porsche products, with a clearly driver-focused interface and clean, industrial lines. A low-slung stance wrapped in smooth, flowing curves gives the 918 an organic look, while at the same time speaking of its performance potential through muscular fenders and snarling air inlets. Styled in the vein of the Carrera GT supercar, the 918 Spyder draws on the best of Porsche's heritage, while keeping both eyes firmly on the present and future. While it didn’t ultimately win the war, it’s an impressive machine in its own right. With its stunning design, truly brilliant performance and surprising efficiency, Porsche’s 918 Spyder introduced the world to the idea of a hybrid hypercar. ![]()
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