Porsche 918 Spyder

The Porsche 918 Spyder is Porsche AG’s first attempt at a hybrid supercar. Porsche says it expects the Spyder to be the company’s revolutionary contribution to the hybrid car market.

Debuted in March at the Geneva auto show, the 918 Spyder is a plug-in hybrid drivetrain with 718 horsepower and a 0-to-60 mph time of 3.2 seconds. The car can drive 15.5 miles on the battery alone before the 500 horsepower V8 engine and a pair of 218 horsepower electric engines kick in.

The environmental impact of the Spyder is minimal, with 78 mpg and a carbon emission measure of 70 grams per mile. The Porsche Cayenne V8 Hybrid has a carbon emission value of 193 grams per mile, more than twice that of the Spyder.

According to Porsche AG, the Spyder has two distinct modes of operation: the E-mode and the Hybrid mode. The E-mode is best for speeds under 16 mph, while the hybrid mode combines battery and engine power for higher speeds. In addition to the regular hybrid mode, the car can be set to hybrid variations. The “sport-hybrid,” in which most of the energy is focused on the rear wheels for optimal performance, balances power with control. In the “race-hybrid,” power and speed are at optimal levels, with a fully charged battery giving an “E-boost” for an extra push.

Although Porsche AG has not yet announced whether it will mass produce the vehicle, over 900 buyers have announced interest in the car.

More resources:

• Porsche Presents 918 Spyder High-Performance Concept Sports Car in Geneva

Text by Jessica Leader

Photo by cmonville/Flickr