The Porsche 918 Spyder: A Hybrid Hypercar Trailblazer
Setting benchmarks in the realm of hybrid hypercars
Porsche’s pedigree in producing groundbreaking performance cars is undeniable, yet the count of its supercars can be tallied on a single hand. The 918 Spyder, alongside its predecessors – the 959 and the Carrera GT – forms the holy trinity of Porsche supercars. Launched in 2013, the 918 Spyder wasn’t just a hypercar; it was a manifesto of the future, heralding the age of high-performance hybridisation.
Born from a 2010 concept, the 918 Spyder was Porsche’s answer to evolving automotive technology, standing as one of the most innovative vehicles the Stuttgart-based manufacturer has ever created. The 918 Spyder was the industry’s first hybrid hypercar, and it played a pivotal role in ushering in a new era of performance hybrids.
The heart of the 918 Spyder is a motorsport-derived 4.6 litre V8 engine, closely related to the unit in Porsche’s RS Spyder LMP2 race car, producing 608 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque. Complementing this powertrain are two electric motors adding 279 horsepower, pushing the total output to an astonishing 887 horsepower and 1,280(!) Nm of torque. Its 6.8-kWh battery not only provides power to the motors but also offers an EPA-rated 12 miles of all-electric range.
What makes the 918 Spyder truly remarkable are its performance figures, which remain exceptional a decade after its release. It launches from zero to 62 mph in a mere 2.6 seconds, with independent tests clocking even faster times. This level of performance, combined with Porsche’s renowned PDK transmission and all-wheel-drive system, ensures that the 918 Spyder is as thrilling to drive as it is technologically advanced.
During its three-year production run from 2013 to 2015, the Porsche 918 Spyder captured the imaginations of car enthusiasts globally. While it may not have rewritten the performance rulebook like the McLaren F1 or Bugatti Veyron, its hybrid drivetrain, electrifying acceleration, and everyday drivability made it an icon.
DK Engineering are offering a 918, number 630, in an auction powered by Carhuna. The 918 stands as a testament to Porsche’s vision and engineering prowess. It laid the groundwork for the next generation of hybrid hypercars and Porsche’s forthcoming all-electric supercar, proving that electric motors can do much more than just paint an image of saving the planet.
