At the 80th International Motor Show in Geneva, Switzerland, Porsche unveiled its new 918 Spyder plug-in hybrid concept. This is not your typical staid hybrid – it’s definitely a high-performance vehicle.
The Concept Study 918 Spyder plug-in hybrid is powered by a V8 that generates 500+ horsepower and electric motors on the front and rear axle with an output of 218 horsepower. Combined power output is an impressive 708 horsepower! On electric power alone, the 918 has a range of up to 25 km (16 miles). As with the Toyota Prius, braking causes the electric motors to operate in generator mode, recharging the vehicle’s lithium ion battery.
With a extrememly low power-to-weight ratio (less than 1,490 kg) and a mid-mounted high rpm engine, the car is designed for the sports car enthusiast: 0-100 km/h comes in just 3.2 seconds, top speed is 320 km/h (198 mph), and a lap time on the Nürburgring is less than 7:30 making it even faster than the Porsche Carrera GT.
Fuel economy? Pretty impressive: average fuel economy is about three liters per 100 kilometers (or approx 78 mpg). Vehicle emissions, as tested in Europe, were just 70 grams of CO2 per kilometer.
Of course, we would like to see Porsche develop a line of CNG or CNG hybrid vehicles…but thought you might enjoy their “Intelligent Performance” video below.
Visit the company’s YouTube page: click here
