Porsche 918 Spyder

The Porsche 918 Spyder celebrated its global debut at the 2013 International Motor Show (IAA). The plug-in hybrid sports car was powered by a V8 mid-engine combined with a seven-speed Porsche Dual Clutch (PDK) gearbox and two electric motors. The combination of high driving dynamics with an average standard fuel consumption of between 3.0 and 3.3 litres/100 km set standards. The 918 Spyder had been designed, developed, and produced by Porsche race car engineers, in cooperation with series production specialists. The concept of the V8 engine originated from the LMP2 RS Spyder race car. To best exploit all three engines the driver could choose from five operating modes which could be activated by a button at the wheel. For very performance-oriented customers of the 918 Spyder, Porsche offered the “Weissach" package. These modified super sports cars could be recognised at first glance by special colours and designs based on earlier Porsche race cars. Roof, rear wings, rear-view mirrors, and frames of the wind-screen were made of visible carbon. Very light-weight magnesium wheels reduced unsprung masses; gross weight was reduced by about 35 kg. As the first series production car, a 918 Spyder lapped the Nürburgring Nordschleife in less than seven minutes. Achieving a time of six minutes and 57 seconds, it shaved 14 seconds off the previous record.