Porsche 918 Spyder - Plug-in hybrid - You have got to see this!

[KeoRS]

Porsche 918 Spyder plug-in hybrid concept gets 78 mpg, hits 62 mph in 3.2 seconds — Autoblog

From Autoblog:
Looking a bit like a Carrera GT evolved, the 918 Spyder is powered by both a 500-horsepower V8 and a pair of electric motors (one for each axle) producing an additional 218 hp or 160kW. At full gallop, the concept can theoretically reach 62 mph in 3.2 seconds and nip 198 mph on the high end. On the flip side, Porsche says it can also achieve 78 miles per gallon and emit just 70 grams of CO2 per kilometer.

Amazing!









Porsche Press Release:
Porsche Reveals High-Performance 918 Spyder Concept Highly Efficient and Ultra-Fast Plug-in Hybrid Super Sports Car Unveiled in Geneva

Today, on the eve of the Geneva Motor Show, Porsche unveiled an ultra-efficient, low-emission, mid-engine super sports car featuring hybrid and electric drive technology.

The 918 Spyder concept combines high-tech racing features with electric-mobility to offer a fascinating range of qualities. For example, it is planned to provide an emission level of just 70 grams of CO2 per kilometer on fuel consumption of only three liters/100 kilometers (equal to approximately 78 mpg U.S.), which is truly outstanding, even for an ultra-compact city car. This car, however, is intended to offer the performance of a super sports car with acceleration from a standstill to 100 km/h in just under 3.2 seconds, top speed of 320 km/h (198 mph), and a lap time on the Nordschleife of N ̧rburgring in less than 7:30 minutes, faster than even the Porsche Carrera GT.

The 918 Spyder is one of three Porsche models with hybrid drive making their world debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. This trio ñ made up of Porscheís new Cayenne S Hybrid SUV with parallel full-hybrid drive, the 911 GT3 R Hybrid race car with electric drive on the front axle and a flywheel mass battery, and the two-seater high-performance 918 Spyder mid-engined sports car with plug-in hybrid technology ñ clearly demonstrates not only the great bandwidth of this new drive technology, but also the innovative power of Porsche as a genuine pioneer in hybrid drive.

The highly-innovative 918 Spyder concept car combines Porscheís Intelligent Performance philosophy with the high-technology from motorsport, with classic but modern design to make a truly convincing statement.

Innovative powertrain combines race-bred V8 engine with electric drive
This open two-seater is powered by a high-revving V8 developing more than 500 horsepower and a maximum engine speed of 9,200 rpm ñ as well as electric motors on the front and rear axle with overall mechanical output of 218 horsepower (160 kW).
The V8 combustion engine is the next step in the evolution of the highly successful 3.4- liter power unit already featured in the RS Spyder racing car and positioned mid-ship, in front of the rear axle, giving the car excellent balance and the right set-up for supreme performance on the race track.

Power is transmitted to the wheels by a seven-speed Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) transmission that feeds the power of the electric drive system to the rear axle. The front-wheel electric drive powers the wheels through a fixed transmission ratio.

The energy reservoir is a fluid-cooled lithium-ion battery 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. A further point is that the carís kinetic energy is converted into electrical energy fed into the battery when applying the brakes, thus providing additional energy for fast and dynamic acceleration.

Driverís choice of four distinct driving modes
A button on the steering wheel allows the driver to choose among four different running modes: The E-Drive mode is for running the car under electric power alone, with a range of up to 25 km or 16 miles. In the Hybrid mode, the 918 Spyder uses both the electric motors and the combustion engine as a function of driving conditions and requirements, offering a range from particularly fuel-efficient all the way to extra-powerful.

The Sport Hybrid mode uses both drive systems, but with the focus on performance. Most of the drive power goes to the rear wheels, with Torque Vectoring serving to additionally improve the carís driving dynamics.

In the Race Hybrid mode the drive systems are focused on pure performance with the highest standard of driving dynamics on the track, running at the limit to their power and dynamic output. With the battery sufficiently charged, a push-to-pass button feeds in additional electrical power (E-Boost), when overtaking or for even better performance.

With the hybrid drive system offering this wide range of individual modes and applications, the 918 Spyder is able either to achieve lap times comparable to those of a thoroughbred racing car, or the extremely low emissions and high fuel economy figures of a plug-in hybrid.

Advanced body structure and design offer more than just good looks
Like the drivetrain, the lightweight body structure of the Porsche 918 Spyder also bears out the carís DNA carried over directly from motorsport: The modular structure with its monocoque bodyshell made of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFP) and liberal use of magnesium and aluminum not only reduce weight to below 1,490 kg, or 3,285 lb, but also ensure supreme driving precision thanks to a high level of torsional stiffness.

Reminiscent of highly successful, legendary racing cars such as the Porsche 917 and the current Porsche RS Spyder, the 918 Spyder, with its design concept so typical of Porsche arouses powerful emotions. The combination of racing car dimensions, clearly structured design with perfectly balanced surfaces, and innovative details throughout, creates an ideal synthesis of form and function ñ following Porscheís design DNA.

The smooth balance of tradition and progress gives the car a powerful stance on the road. Variable aerodynamics, typical of Porsche, ensures both visionary and traditional highlights especially around the rear spoiler. The striking rear hoods extending out of the headrests, in turn, not only fulfill an aerodynamic function on the 918 Spyder, but also accommodate retractable air intakes with a ram air function.

High-tech interior provides glimpse into the future
The driver and passenger are not only embedded in contoured sports bucket seats but also form part of the cockpit, which provides a synthesis of efficient functionality and ergonomic high-tech operation. Additionally, the cockpit offers a glimpse at the potential interior architecture of future Porsche super sports cars. The three free-standing circular dials for road speed (left), engine speed (middle) and energy management (right) would appear to come directly from a racing car in the ë60s, bearing out that unique philosophy of driver orientation so characteristic of Porsche.

The center console rises up towards the front in the 918 Spyder and houses a touch screen for intuitive control of the carís functions, serving to reduce the number of visible controls and maintain the principle of direct operation.

The control units relevant to the driver are mainly concentrated on the three-spoke multifunction sports steering wheel, while the variable driving modes are supplemented by a switch enabling the driver to call up various drive programs and serving as the push-to-pass button for E-boosting. Instrument illumination, finally, varies from green for the consumption-oriented running modes to red for the performance-oriented driving programs.

The Porsche 918 Spyder concept also comes with further innovative functions such as the Range Manager. After being activated in the Center Display, the Range Manager uses the map in the navigation system to present the remaining range the car is able to cover, naturally allowing the driver to influence that range through the appropriate choice of power and performance.

In cities with environmental alert areas the Range Manager also states whether the driver is able to reach a certain destination on electric power alone.

Applying this information and using further info on the availability and location of special energy filling stations, the driver is then able to choose his personal style of driving as well as the right battery charge and filling strategy.

Offering a unique combination of extremely low fuel consumption, supreme performance and long electric range, the Porsche 918 Spyder concept represents an essential milestone in Porscheís strategy on the way to genuine electric-mobility.

[Rednine11]

I'm not crazy about hybrids but that thing looks awesome.........

[KeoRS]

Official Porsche Video
YouTube - Porsche Intelligent Performance - The next spark


Additional information and pictures plus Webcast of the car's unveiling at the Geneva show tomorrow at 08h15 am: http://www.porsche.com/microsite/intelligent_performance/international.aspx

Have a look at the Web Special featured in the above link. It has a different video (3min 20secs) which is pretty interesting! AWD, 0-100 in less than 3.2. Faster than the Carrera GT around the Nurburgring... I'm in awe.

[Netspeed]

That's easily the most beautiful design to come out of Porsche in a long time.

Thank God Weideking is gone!

[osidak]

and it is a Targa

[flatsixjunky]

Originally Posted by rednine11

i'm not crazy about hybrids but that thing looks awesome.........

+1 :d

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by Netspeed

That's easily the most beautiful design to come out of Porsche in a long time.

Thank God Weideking is gone!

x2

That is a beautiful design.

[island911]

How much?

[teamfee3]

The next 914 - 4 cylinder TDi from VW! This electric hybrid stuff is getting silly, all PR, battery technology nowhere near ready, infrastructure not there. Tesla will go down like DeLoren as one of the biggest frauds, and ironically waste of resources, in automotive history. The braking capture might have applications at some point but only peices of this stuff in the near future. Nice that they are exploring varied hybrid technologies like BMW and nitrogen but ultimately we are probably seeing other design ques and minor technology applications at work packaged in a nice 'green" PR friendly and hot package.

[island911]

Well, if I had Tesla stock, I certainly would be selling. But, Tesla has the backing of the Obama Admin. So, as to going down in flames? ... more like a long slow death, as they spend to stay afloat. BTW, I do hear that Tesla has taken advanced orders for all that are being built. I do wonder how many of those orders will fall thru. ...esp w/ THIS! ...918 makes Tesla look like a playschool toy.

[sc_rufctr]

I like the tiny "mirrors"... I'm guessing they are in fact cameras with the image displayed in the car.

Any more info on these?

[baq911]

Breathtaking!

[KeoRS]

Originally Posted by teamfee3

The next 914 - 4 cylinder TDi from VW! This electric hybrid stuff is getting silly, all PR, battery technology nowhere near ready, infrastructure not there. Tesla will go down like DeLoren as one of the biggest frauds, and ironically waste of resources, in automotive history. The braking capture might have applications at some point but only peices of this stuff in the near future. Nice that they are exploring varied hybrid technologies like BMW and nitrogen but ultimately we are probably seeing other design ques and minor technology applications at work packaged in a nice 'green" PR friendly and hot package.

I immediatly fell in love with the car... I'm sure you will too with time

917 inspired... forget that it's a hybrid, this is the future.

[baq911]

Some people will forever want to live in the past, and that's fine. No two people are alike. Though one must admit, Porsche is on a whole new level now with inspirational design and cutting technology. I agree, love at first sight.

[ShakinJoe]

Wow

[KeoRS]

To me, the 918 is a serious statement that Porsche is moving ahead. I'm proud to see this concept study. This is the new. This is good!

I understand the perception that some may have when it comes to the new generation of vehicles on the roads. They have tons of electronics. It makes me happy to see this change, because I own a Carrera 3.2 that doesn't have power steering, doesn't have abs, no traction control, etc... this makes for a different driving experience.

Ultimately, this 918 is going to be a pure driving machine - hybrid or not. If Porsche has decided on a hybrid concept study, it isn't for the MPGs... it's for the MPHs. This thing is faster than the Carrera GT on the green hell.

[teamfee3]

Originally Posted by KeoRS

I immediatly fell in love with the car... I'm sure you will too with time

917 inspired... forget that it's a hybrid, this is the future.

Oh, don't get me wrong, I like it, evocative of the 908/3 and Berg Spyder but modern, I loved the 914 and had one, still like them and a torquey 4 cylinder entry level Porsche would be cool because I could watch everyone shove 6's in them

[KeoRS]

Here is the other video (3min 20secs) I mentionned before. It's now on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTqWDR2X_SA

It's worth a look!!

[mihalkog]

Looks like the offspring resulting from an affair between a Carrera GT and Ferrari 430.

[kiwiokie]

Originally Posted by mihalkog

Looks like the offspring resulting from an affair between a Carrera GT and Ferrari 430.

But that is like saying it is half Bo Derek and half Raquel Welsh. Probably not a bad thing.