Porsche 918
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| Manufacturer | Porsche |
|---|---|
| Production | Limited production series |
| Predecessor | Porsche Carrera GT[1] |
| Successor | TBA |
| Class | Roadster |
| Body style | 2-door roadster |
| Layout | Mid engine four wheel drive |
| Engine | 3.4 L 500 horsepower (370 kW) V8 (9,200 rpm) with three electric motors delivering 218 horsepower (163 kW) |
| Transmission | 7-speed PDK dual-clutch |
| Wheelbase | 2,650 mm (104.3 in) |
| Length | 4,497 mm (177.0 in) |
| Width | 1,928 mm (75.9 in) |
| Height | 1,091 mm (43.0 in) |
| Kerb weight | 1,490 kilograms (3,300 lb) |
| Designer | Michael Mauer |
The Porsche 918 Spyder is a mid-engined sports car designed by Porsche and first shown as a concept at the 80th edition of the Geneva Motor Show in March 2010. The Spyder is powered by a 3.4 litre V8 engine, developing 500 horsepower (370 kW), with three electric motors delivering an additional 218 horsepower (163 kW). It is the first plug-in hybrid car from Porsche.[2] Porsche later announced a limited production of the vehicle.[3]
At NAIAS 2011, Porsche unveiled the RSR racing variant of the 918, which combines hybrid technology first used in the 911 GT3 R Hybrid, with styling from the 918 Spyder.[4]
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[edit] Spyder
The 918 Spyder is a mid-engined two seater sports car, designed by Michael Mauer,[5] that is powered by a 3.4 liter V8 engine (500 hp/370 kW) which is a development of the engine used in the RS Spyder Le Mans Prototype racing car. This is supplemented by three electric motors delivering an additional 218 horsepower (163 kW). The transmission is a 7-speed gearbox coupled to Porsche's own (PDK) double clutch system delivering power to the rear axle. Two electric motors drive the front wheels directly through a fixed ratio while a third electric motor is connected to the transmission and gives additional power to the rear wheels. This gives the 918 Spyder a 0–100 km/h time in just under 3.2 seconds and a top speed of over 320 kilometres per hour (200 mph). The energy storage system is a liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery positioned behind the passenger cell. In addition to the plug-in recharge the batteries can also be charged by regenerative braking and by excess output from the engine when the car is coasting. CO2 emissions are 70 g/km and fuel consumption is 3 L/100 km (94 imperial mpg/78 us mpg). The 918 Spyder offers 4 different running modes: E-Drive allows the car to run under battery power alone, using the rear electric motor only, giving a range of 16 miles (26 km). Three hybrid modes (Hybrid, Sport and Race) use both the engine and electric motors to provide the desired levels of economy and performance. In Race mode a push-to-pass button is available to deliver additional electrical power.[6]
The chassis is a carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic monocoque. Magnesium and aluminium are extensively used in the construction of the car which helps keep the 918 Spyder's weight down to 1,490 kilograms (3,300 lb).
On July 28, 2010, after 2000 declarations of interest, the Supervisory Board of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, gave the green light for series development of the Porsche 918 Spyder.[7] The 918 will be produced in a limited series. It will be developed in Weissach and assembled in Zuffenhausen.
[edit] RSR
At the 2011 Auto show in Detroit, Porsche unveiled the RSR racing variant of the 918 Spyder. Instead of using plug-in hybrid technology, power for the two electric motors is provided by a flywheel accumulator KERS system that sits beside the driver in the passenger compartment. The V8 is a further development of the direct injection engine from the RS Spyder race car developing 563 horsepower (420 kW). The electric motors on the two front wheels each provide an additional 102 horsepower (76 kW), giving a peak power output of 767 horsepower (572 kW). The six speed gearbox is a development of the unit from the RS Spyder.[4]
[edit] Video games appearances
The 918 Spyder is subject to numerous video games appearances, most notably in several games of the third generations of Need for Speed series. It was originally featured in the game Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit as a drivable vehicle.[8] Unlike the other Porsche cars featured in the game, it is not available in a police livery. It was later featured in Shift 2: Unleashed[9] and Need for Speed: The Run[10] (Shift 2 and The Run only featured the RSR variant).
[edit] References
- ^ Migliore, Greg (July 28, 2010). "Porsche 918 Spyder approved for production". AutoWeek. http://www.autoweek.com/article/20100728/GREEN/100729843.
- ^ "Porsche Presents 918 Spyder High-Performance Concept Sports Car in Geneva". porsche.com. 2 February 2010. http://www.porsche.com/usa/aboutporsche/pressreleases/pag/?pool=international-de&id=2010-03-02. Retrieved 7 March 2010.
- ^ "Porsche 918 Spyder gets green light for series development". porsche.com. 28 July 2010. http://www.porsche.com/uk/aboutporsche/pressreleases/pcgb/?pool=uk&id=2010-07-28. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
- ^ a b "Porsche 918 RSR – racing laboratory with even higher-performance hybrid drive". porsche.com. 10 January 2010. http://www.porsche.com/usa/aboutporsche/pressreleases/pag/?pool=international-de&id=2011-01-10. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
- ^ Cumberford, Robert (August 2010). "By Design: Porsche 918 Spyder". Automobile Magazine. http://www.automobilemag.com/features/by_design/1008_porsche_918_spyder_design_analysis/viewall.html. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
- ^ "Electric supercars: Highly charged motoring". The Economist 394 (8674): 85–86. 20 March 2010. http://www.economist.com/science-technology/displaystory.cfm?story_id=15717208. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
- ^ "Porsche AG - Press releases - About Porsche - Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG". Porsche.com. http://www.porsche.com/usa/aboutporsche/pressreleases/pag/?pool=international-de&id=2010-07-28. Retrieved 2010-07-28.
- ^ "Porsche 918 Spyder (Concept Study)". Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit official website. http://hotpursuit.needforspeed.com/game-info/cars/porsche-918-spyder-concept-study. Retrieved 2011-11-22.
- ^ "Porsche 918 Spyder Concept Study". Shift 2: Unleashed official website. http://www.needforspeed.com/shift2unleashed/car/Porsche-918-Spyder-Concept-Study. Retrieved 2011-11-22.
- ^ "Porsche 918 RSR". Need for Speed: The Run official website. http://www.needforspeed.com/therun/car/porsche-918-rsr. Retrieved 2011-11-22.
[edit] External links
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