Porsche 918 Spyder stars at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

Porsche stunned the world when it unveiled the 918 Spyder as a massive surprise at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. Finally, three years later, it gets its full production debut at the 2013 Frankfurt IAA Motor Show. Combining a race-spec petrol V8 with twin electric motors, the 918 trades lightweight purity for enormous all-wheel drive performance and astonishingly low fuel consumption. So it is both insanely fast and ridiculously efficient. Or at least, that’s the theory…


 We’ll get to all the official figures shortly, but suffice to say the 918 Spyder actually exceeds initial expectations. Built by motorsport engineers, using a motorsport engine and the very latest plug-in hybrid technology, this 887hp Porsche may not be as powerful as the 918hp McLaren P1 and the 963hp Ferrari LaFerrari but its environmental credentials are second to none. The big question is whether the kind of people who buy this kind of car really care about that kind of thing. We suspect they’re more interested in how fast it goes and how exclusive it is. But the 918’s super-sophisticated drivetrain does offer some intriguing dynamic advantages as well.

The first thing we’d like to draw your attention to is the exhaust plumbing. Anyone concerned that the plug-in hybrid nature of this new Porsche hypercar is going to dilute the driving experience should take note of the fact that the high-revving 612hp 4.6-litre racing V8 vents its gases through the top of the engine cover, right behind the driver and passenger’s heads. Not only is this going to sound amazing, it also blows hot air over the rear wing, in a manner banned from Formula One for its aerodynamic advantages.And as if the slinky supercar looks aren’t arresting enough, it’s also available in some famous Porsche racing liveries. We’re still not sure about the lime green detailing, though.

Combined power output for the 918 Spyder is 887hp, and if you take the V8 and the twin electric motors to the max it will lay rubber from 0-62mph in just 2.8 seconds and hit a top speed of 211mph. There are no less than five driving modes, from all-electric E-Power to all-attack Hot Lap. Even running on electricity alone the 918 will go 0-62mph in under seven seconds, reach 93mph and offers a theoretical range of 18 miles – it’s a far more accomplished EV than either of its hypercar rivals. Driven for efficiency in regular Hybrid mode (Sport Hybrid and Race Hybrid settings are also available), Porsche says the 918 Spyder is capable of as much as 94mpg, with CO2 emissions as low as 70g/km. Driven properly, don’t expect to see anything close to that – the V8 in the back really is from a racing car, having previously seen action in the Porsche RS Spyder LMP2 sports prototype. With the electric motors acting on both axles, active aerodynamics, four-wheel steering and some very tricky traction and stability control electronics, it should prove scintillating to drive despite weighing 1,640kg at the very minimum, and has lapped the Nurburgring in 7 minutes 14 seconds.