The Hybrid Supercar

By Author: John Santos
Total Articles: 40
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Do not pass GO. Do not collect $200. Don't even roll the dice. Just grab your black AmEx card, head to your neighborhood Porsche dealer, and do whatever he (or she) says to get on the list for the amazing Porsche 918 Spyder. This incredible vehicle features hybrid and electric technology, and received global acclaim when it debuted in March at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. According to Porsche officials, it has since been green-lighted for production as a result of hundreds of letters of intent from prospective buyers, so make sure you have a spot in your garage available when it lands on our shores.

If its futuristic looks and more than 700 combined horsepower aren't enough to earn you the alpha car spot in the valet line at the Boardwalk Hotel, its anticipated 78 MPG fuel rating (converted from the New European Driving Cycle) and low carbon emissions are sure to seal the deal with a sledgehammer.

Every sumptuous curve, crevice, and vent has an overt role in aerodynamics or performance, but the taut sheet metal still hints at Porsche's early history (like the 550 Spyder associated with James Dean), and ...
... its technology draws from successful racing DNA that includes the legendary 917 racecars that dominated the track in the 1970's, and victorious RS Spyder racecars from the modern era. Furthermore, the 918 Spyder is an evolutionary successor to Porsche's last supercar, the Carrera GT, from both a technological and design perspective.

The heart of this revolutionary mid-engine automobile is a version of Porsche's V8 from the RS Spyder that generates more than 500 horsepower and revs to an astounding 9,200 rpm. Electric motors on the front and rear axles add a combined 218 horsepower (160 kW). As a plug-in hybrid, the car's fluid-cooled lithium-ion battery is charged from the grid with a power cord in your garage, with additional charging through regenerative braking. The company's proven seven-speed PDK double-clutch transmission (Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe) combines with side-to-side torque-vectoring to ensure the power is always meeting the pavement, and can be manually controlled through paddle shifters. A racing-style steering wheel selector lets the driver choose from four modes that range from high efficiency or even electric-only, to high performance, along with a ‘push to pass' button for speed boosts from the electric motors.

Porsche's claimed performance numbers put this squarely in supercar territory, with a top speed just under 200 mph and a sprint to 62 mph in 3.2 seconds. A high-tech monocoque body shell made of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFP) keeps weight under 3,300 pounds, and legendary suspension tuning helps it lap the Nordschleife of Nürburgring quicker than the Carrera GT.

Not only does it have a stunning exterior, but its space-age cockpit is sure to get your blood pumping. Never mind the carbon-fiber body panels and wraparound command center styling with multiple display screens; its steering wheel alone is enough to elicit an urge to head for the track. It has a ton of buttons and controls that help maximize desired performance, and its shape calls out to the Speed Racer gene in every car lover. So far, there is no word on plans for a cover on the open top, but surely the engineers at Porsche's home in Zuffenhausen, Germany, will work it out.

Compared to a few years ago, there has been a drought of exotic cars coming to market during the economic downturn, so the Porsche 918 Spyder is like an oasis in the desert that refreshes buyers with an eco-friendly option that comes with world-class performance. Porsche's ultimate car comes with a comparable investment. While speculation on pricing and timing abounds, Bloomberg reports that pricing at launch is likely to be about $630,000. But as the world's first über-hybrid, it is likely to be an instant collectible, so look for street prices to quickly push upward.

In the Monopoly board of life, when you choose the car for your game piece, the Porsche 918 Spyder is definitely the one you want parked at the Boardwalk Hotel.

The Porsche 918 Spyder revolutionizes the automotive world with a high-tech über-hybrid.

Porsche Cars North America, Inc., www.porsche.com/usa, 800.767.7243

Spyker C8 Aileron Spyder

Manufactured — Germany

List Price — $630,000 (est.)

Available — 2014-2015 (est.)

Engine — 3.4-Liter DOHC V8, 2 electric drive motors

Horsepower — 500 hp (gas) + 218 hp /160 kW (electric)

Torque — N/A

Layout — Rear-mid engine, rwd

Transmission — 7-speed dual clutch PDK

Drivetrain — Rear-wheel Drive, electric front-wheel drive

Fuel Economy — 78 mpg (manufacturer est.)

Wheelbase — N/A

Length — N/A

Width — 75 in.

Curb Weight — 3,285 lbs

Top Speed — 191 mph (manufacturer est.)

Acceleration — 3.2 sec (manufacturer est.)

The author of this article is an expert is writing articles related to the automotive industry. He knows that Porsche's 918 Spyder is the one that offers drivers new levels of efficiency and performance and is Poised to rewrite automotive history.