The Porsche 918 Spyder is to be the plug-in hybrid model from the Stuttgart automaker. The car has yet a couple of years to go before it turns into a reality. However, that hasn’t stopped the car maker from coming up with the price details of the car. And with that done, Porsche is already started with what can be termed as the next logical step – accepting pre-orders for the car.
For the US market the price has been set at $845,000 which at current conversion rates is equivalent to €598,000. For the European market, the car is priced at €645,000 which converts to $911,400. This cost does not include handling and destination charges as also VAT as would be applicable by region. Makes this the costliest car as on date.
The company however is offering the rights to purchase their new special edition version of the 911 Turbo S Series for those who place orders for the 918 Spyder now.
The Zuffenhausen plant in Germany that belongs to Porsche is the site where production of the 918 Spyder would commence from the 18th of September 2013. There would be just 918 units of the model made and delivery would be affected as per roster of order received.
The concept version of this car had been put up on display at the Geneva Motor Show and the production model is also expected to be near about on the same lines. There is however the full open top idea that is being shelved to be replaced with a manual roof system. There would be provision to stow the roof panels in the front luggage compartment. There is also the addition of exterior mirrors and there are no side exhaust tail pipes visible in the production design sketch.
The 918 Spyder earmarked to be the flagship car of Porsche has carbon fiber reinforced plastic monocoque for its body and a plug-in hybrid drive train that comprises of a V8 gasoline engine with a displacement exceeding four liters and output of more than 500 HP plus two electric motors. The electric motors are placed one each at the front and rear axle. The combined output of the motors is 218 hp. For transmission there is a seven speed dual clutch system that is incorporated in the car.
The battery pack is a liquid cooled lithium ion battery set which powers the electric motors. For charging the battery itself any domestic power socket is compatible. Once fully charged, the battery alone can give 25 km or 16 miles in the NDEC. Charging time would vary depending on the mains network of the country where it is being used. The company states that in Germany it would take three hours to charge the battery pack. There is an option to reduce charging time also.
In the European driving cycle, the fuel consumption of the car in combined mode is 3.0 liter per 100 km or 94 mpg UK and 78.4 mpg in US units. CO2 emission of the car is 70 g/km or 112 g/mile. The official EPA fuel consumption figures would be announced by Porsche just before the first customer cars begin to arrive which is expected to be end 2013.
Acceleration figures for the 918 Spyder is 3.2 seconds for the 0 to 100 kmph run while the top speed the car will be capable of is a commendable 320 kmph or 199 mph. The Nurburgring lap could be completed by the car is less than seven minutes and 30 seconds as claimed by Porsche. When compared to the Carrera GT it is 2 seconds lesser as the Carrera can complete the journey in 7 minutes 32 seconds. Just for comparison, the top speed Carrera is capable of is 150 kmph or 94 mph.
Source: carscoop
