Porsche has unveiled a surprise concept car, the 918 Spyder, on the eve of the Geneva Motor Show during a special pre-show event. Introduced by President and CEO of Porsche AG, Michael Macht, the mid-engined sports car takes the “ecology vs. performance” issue a few notches up. Described as a “Super-Sports” car, the 918 Spyder is a low emissions plug-in hybrid with a split personality. On the ecological side it is capable of 3.0 litres/100 kilometers (94 mpg imp / 78 mpg US) with just 70 grams of CO2 emissions per kilometer. However, on the performance side, it’s driven by a V8 producing more than 368 kw (500 PS / 493 hp) plus three electric motors putting out 160 kw (218 PS / 215 hp). That gives the two-seater a combined power output of 528 kw (718 PS / 708 hp) resulting in a 0 to 100 km/h sprint in just 3.2 seconds, top speed of 320 km/h (198 mph), and a lap time on the Nurburgring Nordschleife in less than 7:30 minutes, which is faster than the Porsche Carrera GT. The 918 Spyder features a liquid cooled lithium-ion battery, brake energy regeneration, push-to-pass “E-Boost” button for sudden overtaking maneuvers, and four driving modes. They are: E-Drive mode for electric only powered driving; Hybrid mode, which uses both the electric motors and the V8 engine relative to driving conditions; Sport Hybrid mode uses both drive systems, but with the focus on performance; and Race Hybrid mode for hardcore performance running at the limit. “Power is transmitted to the wheels …

Related posts

• Porsche 918 Spyder Concept Promotional Video
• Geneva Auto Show, Porsche 918 Spyder Concept, Audi A1 …
• Abt Sportsline gets its hands on Audi R8 Spyder
• Porsche Intelligent Performance – 911 GT3 R Hybrid
• Porsche Celebrates 60 Years of Production in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen