Porsche has introduced a low-emission hybrid “concept” sports car that is capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just under 3.2 seconds.
The plug-in 918 Spyder prototype also boasts a top speed of 320 km/h (198 mph), with a reduced emission level of just 70 grams of CO2 per kilometer (78 mpg).
According to Porsche, the open, two-seated 918 Spyder is powered by a high-revving V8 500+ horsepower engine that generates 9,200 rpm.
In addition, electric motors on the front and rear axle generate an overall mechanical output of 218 horsepower (160 kW).
“Power is transmitted to the wheels by a seven-speed Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) transmission that feeds the power of the electric drive system to the rear axle. The front-wheel electric drive powers the wheels through a fixed transmission ratio,” Porsche explained in an official statement.
“The energy reservoir is a fluid-cooled lithium-ion battery positioned behind the passenger cell. The big advantage of a plug-in hybrid is that the battery can be charged on the regular electrical network. [Furthermore], the car’s kinetic energy is converted into electrical energy fed into the battery when applying the brakes, thus providing additional energy for fast and dynamic acceleration.”
Finally, a button on the steering wheel allows the driver to choose from four different running modes: the E-Drive mode (electric power), Hybrid (electric and combustion motors), Sport Hybrid (drive systems-centered) and Race Hybrid – which is focused on “pure” performance.
“With the battery sufficiently charged, a push-to-pass button feeds in additional electrical power (E-Boost), when overtaking or for even better performance,” added Porsche.
