Porsche 918 Spyder

Vehicle inlets – ES3 – Charging socket, AC type 2, mode 2-3 (EU)

Charging cable length – EH1 – Length of charging cable: standard

Steering wheels – 880 – Sports steering wheel, 918 Spyder, Alcantara

Steering column systems – 655 – Steering column with mech. reach/height adjustment

Wheels – 443 – 20/21″ 918 Spyder wheel Performance, central lock

Tyre inflation – UX6 – TPM valve, Silver

098 – Left-hand drive version

130 – Control and indications in English lettering

211 – Licence plate holder version 3

215 – Version for Saudi Arabia

221 – PTV Plus, el. controlled rear-diff. lock

250 – PDK transmission (dual clutch)

268 – Rain sensor

373 – Bucket seat, 918 Spyder, left

374 – Bucket seat, 918 Spyder, right

450 – Ceramic brake (PCCB)

466 – Rear fog light, right

474 – Front-axle lift function

475 – “PASM” electronic damper control

478 – Central wheel lock

482 – Tire Pressure Monitoring TPM, 433 MHz

501 – Car cover

506 – Reflection-optimised interior

508 – Decorative trims in Carbon Look

509 – Fire extinguisher

517 – Glove box and centre console compartment

521 – Tilt sensor

534 – Theft security system, 433 MHz

536 – 07 Alarm siren and tilt sensor 08- Alarm siren

555 – Black seat belts

567 – Windscreen tinted, upper part darker coloured

573 – Air conditioner

578 – 6-point seat belt, driver

579 – 6-point seat belt, passenger

619 – Mobile phone preparation (BLUETOOTH) without console

657 – Power steering

681 – Carrera GT sound system

808 – Racetrack package

870 – Universal multimedia interface

875 – 6-point seat belts, 918 in Red

881 – Mirror in Carbon Look

882 – Roof in Carbon Look

883 – Rear wing in Carbon Look

912 – without identification plate

981 – Leather equipment, without seat covers

983 – Seat covers, front, leather

991 – Steering wheel airbag module in leather

998 – Leather, natural

Carrier frequency for remote control – 523 – Immobiliser, 434 MHz

First aid kit/warning triangle – 1T1 – First aid material

The Porsche 918

Porsche’s entry into the “hypercar” market – the 918 Spyder is a plug-in hybrid powered by a mid-mounted naturally aspirated 4593 cc V8 engine, producing 578 bhp at 8,700 RPM, with two electric motors delivering an additional 286bhp for a combined output of 864 bhp and 944 lbf⋅ft of torque. The 918 Spyder’s engine is based on the unit used in the Porsche RS Spyder with the same bore but stroked out and weighed 135 kgs made out of aluminium and titanium.

Performance was predictably spectacular – Car and Driver recorded figures of 0–60 mph in 2.2 seconds, 0–100 mph in 4.9 seconds, 0–180 mph in 17.5 seconds, and the quarter mile in 9.8 seconds. Top speed was 215 mph.

The 918 Spyder’s 6.8 kWh lithium-ion battery pack delivers an all-electric range of 12 miles and made use of “active regeneration” harvesting energy during braking. Extensive use of exotic metals and carbon fibre for the tub and body resulted in an all up weight of 1674 kgs – which for a hybrid with 2 motors was a technical tour de force. In addition to 4 wheel drive, the 918 featured 4 wheel steering which improved cornering, handling and stability.

The roof was removable and could be stored in the front luggage compartment – bringing the driver closer to the fantastic sound of the high revving naturally aspirated V8 race bred engine.

The 918 Spyder was first shown as a concept at the 80th Geneva Motor Show in March 2010. On 28 July 2010, after 2,000 declarations of interest, the supervisory board of Porsche AG approved series development of the 918 Spyder. The production version was unveiled at the September 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. Production began on 18 September 2013, with deliveries initially scheduled to begin in December 2013, and a starting price of £711,000. The 918 Spyder was sold out in December 2014 and production ended in June 2015.

An option costing a further £60,000 was the Weissach Package – which was essentially an upgrade with serious “lightweighting” at it’s core – the package included:

918 Spyder Magnesium Wheels + Exposed Carbon Fibre Roof + Rear Wing + Front Splitter + Rear Aero Winglets + Many Other Lightweight Features

Naturally the Weissach package is the most desirable variant and accounted for 25% of production.

918 examples of the Porsche 918 were made.