Porsche 918 Spyder Development Continues

To maintain interest in its revolutionary new sports car, Porsche offer several magazines the opportunity to drive a prototype version of the 918. Unfortunately, it received a rather mixed reception so it appears Porsche is attempting to appease potential buyers with news that the development of its plug-in hybrid supercar is continuing unabated.

So while most manufacturers try to hide their development cars from prying eyes and cover them in camouflage, Porsche is actually announcing the start of on-road driving trials for the Porsche 918 Spyder.

The car is scheduled to enter production at the end of September 2013, with the first customers receiving their vehicles before the end of that year.

The color scheme on the latest prototype is said to be inspired by the Porsche 917 racing cars, so it should be easy to spot.

The focus of development now is the integration of the individual drive components, to ensure the combustion engine and two independent electric motors operate together.

The super car is designed as a plug-in hybrid combining a high performance combustion engine with electric motors, giving it the dynamics of a770hp racing machine but fuel consumption in the region of 78mpg.

The 918 Spyder also breaks new ground with its carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) monocoque with unit carrier, fully adaptive aerodynamics, adaptive rear axle steering and an upward-venting 'top pipes' exhaust system.

[source europeancarweb]