Porsche 918 Spyder debuts at Frankfurt with 887hp hybrid power
Porsche has revealed the production-ready 918 Spyder at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, confirming its 887hp plug-in hybrid drivetrain and a limited run of 918 units.
Porsche has taken the wraps off the final production version of the 918 Spyder at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, confirming the technical details of its long-awaited plug-in hybrid supercar. The 918 Spyder arrives with a total system output of 887hp and a limited production run of 918 units.
The 918 Spyder is powered by a 4.6-litre naturally aspirated V8 producing 608hp at 8,700rpm, supplemented by two electric motors: one on each axle. Together, the hybrid system delivers a combined 887hp and peak torque between 917Nm and 1,289Nm, depending on gear selection. Power is sent to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch PDK transmission.
A 6.8kWh lithium-ion battery is mounted low in the rear of the carbon-fibre monocoque, allowing the 918 Spyder to run in pure electric mode for short distances. In E-Power mode, Porsche claims the car can reach 100km/h in under seven seconds and a top speed of 150km/h without using the V8. In Race Hybrid mode, the 918 accelerates from 0-100km/h in 2.8 seconds and goes on to a top speed of 345km/h.
Performance, weight and technology
The 918 Spyder measures 4,643mm long, 1,940mm wide and 1,167mm high, with a 2,730mm wheelbase. Kerb weight is quoted at 1,634kg, but buyers can opt for lightweight magnesium wheels to shave off 35kg. Porsche lists average fuel consumption at just over 3.0L/100km, reflecting the car's ability to run electrically in urban traffic and blend power sources on demand.
| Engine | 4.6-litre V8, naturally aspirated |
|---|---|
| Electric motors | 2 (front and rear axle) |
| Combined power | 887hp (652kW) |
| Combined torque | 917–1,289Nm |
| Transmission | 7-speed dual-clutch (PDK) |
| Drive | All-wheel drive |
| Battery | 6.8kWh lithium-ion |
| Kerb weight | 1,634kg |
| Production | 918 units |
Positioning and rivals
The 918 Spyder enters a rarefied segment, pitched directly against other hybrid hypercars such as the Ferrari LaFerrari and McLaren P1. All three combine high-revving combustion engines with electric assistance, but Porsche's approach emphasises plug-in capability and all-wheel drive. The 918's price starts at $845,000 in the United States, placing it firmly in the upper reaches of the supercar market.
- Ferrari LaFerrari: 6.3-litre V12, 950hp hybrid, rear-wheel drive
- McLaren P1: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8, 903hp hybrid, rear-wheel drive
- Porsche 918 Spyder: 4.6-litre V8, 887hp hybrid, all-wheel drive
Porsche's unveiling at Frankfurt marks the end of a long development process, from early prototypes through to the 2010 concept and now the finished road car. With the first customer cars due to be delivered soon after the show, the 918 Spyder sets a new benchmark for plug-in performance and technology in Stuttgart's line-up.
