At the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, Porsche unveiled its new hypercar, the 918 Spyder. The sleek silhouette clearly drew inspiration from the company’s previous halo car – the Carrera GT – but instead of a naturally aspirated V-10, the 918 was now powered by a V-8 supplemented by a pair of electric motors. Utilizing lessons learned from racing the 997 GT3 R Hybrid, the 918 Spyder would not only be blindingly fast on track but was capable of being used in full-electric mode. The production version was shown at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, at which time orders had already begun flooding in. Porsche committed to producing 918 examples, with a base price of $845,000 and, by December 2014, it was sold out.
Built around a carbon fiber tub and with many of the body panels also crafted from the material, Porsche engineers were able to keep the weight of the 918 Sypder down –no small feat for a car equipped with a hybrid power train. The 918 features a 4.6-liter, naturally aspirated V-8, derived from the engine found in the hugely successful RS Spyder Le Mans Prototype. Weighing a scant 298 pounds, this engine is capable of 608 hp at 8,700 rpm and 398 lbs./ft. of torque at 6,700 rpm, and with its exhaust situated right behind the passenger compartment, it makes an intoxicating sound like nothing else on the road.
Working in tandem with this engine is a pair of electric motors that make a combined 282 hp, for total figures of 875 hp and 944 lbs./ft. of torque. One of these electric motors provides an additional 154 hp to the rear wheels and the second motor creates 127 hp, which is sent to the front axle and is able to be fully decoupled when not being used. This combination of propulsion systems makes for an unbelievably fast machine. Independent tests clocked 0–60 mph in just 2.2 seconds, a 9.8-second quarter-mile time, and the 918 broke numerous road car track records around the world.
This 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder is no. 57 of the 918 built and one of just 297 examples delivered to the US. Sold through Porsche North Scottsdale in Arizona, this car has been under the care of its original owner since new and was equipped by him with $113,000 in options. Of those options, one of the most sought-after and expensive is the Liquid Metal Silver paint, a $63,000 option. Specially designed for the 918 Spyder, this fantastic, multi-stage paint was made to show off the 918’s lines and is created through a process that requires nine coats and the precise magnetic alignment of its metallic flake. The paint then receives three layers of clear coat. With its “liquid” appearance – as the name states – the combination creates a unique paint depth that has to be seen in person to be fully appreciated. This color also happens to work quite well with the Acid Green detailing that was a hallmark of the 918 Spyder, found on the brake calipers and badging. This spectacular color combination was so successful that it was chosen for the launch of the 918. The Acid Green detailing carries through to the interior, which is wrapped in Onyx Authentic Leather, with bright green piping and stitching throughout. Carbon fiber trim was optioned for the interior, as was the Electric Comfort Heating package, which allows for full-cabin heating, even in full-electric mode. The Porsche is also desirably equipped with the front-axle lift for clearing speed bumps and curbs. Finally, post-purchase, the consignor elected to add the attractive carbon fiber rear diffuser blades from the 918 Weissach package, adding to the Porsche’s visual appeal.
This 918 has been used and enjoyed as Porsche intended, showing 12,270 miles at the time of cataloguing. In summer 2015, this car, along with nine other 918s, enjoyed a weeklong tour on the mountain passes of Italy and Austria as part of the 918 Spyder Circle, logging over 1,100 miles. The Spyder has had paint protection film applied and is accompanied by over 30 pages of service records, along with original delivery accessories and literature.
Even 10 years after being delivered, the 918 is still a technical tour de force, with performance that almost no vehicle on sale today can match. This example presents a unique opportunity for the enthusiast who wants a tasteful, welloptioned example that can be driven and enjoyed without hesitation.
