Car & SUV

Porsche offers 911 Turbo S ‘Edition 918 Spyder’ for 918 supercar buyers

March 23rd, 2011 by Car and SUV

Yesterday we brought you news on the pricing for Porsche’s upcoming 918 hybrid supercar, at $1.24 million New Zealand dollars it was a touch expensive for most of us.

But if you are one of the very few with that sort of cash to spend on a supercar it just gets sweeter. For just $216,000 NZ dollars more you can get a 911 Turbo S “Edition 918 Spyder” which is being offered exclusively to those that place an order for its upcoming plug-in hybrid supercar. As you would expect, production of the special edition 911s is limited to 918 units worldwide. It’s like a ‘buy one, get one free’ deal, except instead of free it costs you $216k.

Despite the order books being open Porsche’s 918 hybrid supercar won’t enter production for at least two years so if you can’t wait the limited edition 911 Turbo S series gives you some of the 918 styling right now. Being cosmetically inspired by the 918 Spyder the 911 Turbo S will be available in both coupe and convertible body styles.

While keeping the standard model’s 530hp flat-six turbo intact, the special edition gets special acid green features on the brake calipers, interior stitching and logos, the instrument cluster needles, the bespoke PCM screen and illuminated door entry guards. Continue reading “Porsche offers 911 Turbo S ‘Edition 918 Spyder’ for 918 supercar buyers” »

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Porsche announces pricing and details for 918 Spyder Hybrid Supercar

March 22nd, 2011 by Car and SUV

It will still be at least two years before Porsche’s new 918 Spyder hybrid supercar reaches production, but that’s not stopping the German carmaker from putting a price tag on it and opening the order book.

The 918 Spyder is to be the most expensive model ever built by Porsche with European prices starting from €645,000 ($1.24m NZD). That’s a large chunk of change to say the least but for the money buyer’s will get the latest hybrid tech and the natural successor to the iconic Carerra GT.

Production of the 918 Spyder will take place at Porsche’s Zuffenhausen plant in Germany starting from September 18, 2013, with first deliveries to commence in November 2013. Porsche plans to limit production of the two-seater model to no more than 918 units worldwide.

The 918 Spyder is closely modeled after the concept study seen at last year’s Geneva Motor Show. However, the production version will not have a full open-top look, instead it will go with removable roof panels that can be stowed in the front luggage compartment. Other differences from the concept include the addition of exterior mirrors and the removal of the side exhaust tail pipes. Continue reading “Porsche announces pricing and details for 918 Spyder Hybrid Supercar” »

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Porsche to build hybrid version in every model line

October 22nd, 2010 by Car and SUV

As automotive efficiency becomes more and more important for all car makers, even hardcore sportscar manufacturers have decided to look at providing more efficient speed. Now, in a bold move, Porsche has taken it one step further, committing to a hybrid version of each of its model lines in an attempt to get its average CO2 emissions down to 216 g/km by 2015 (from the current 255 g/km).

“In the future, we will have hybrid drive in every model line,” Porsche’s development chief Wolfgang Duerheimer, said in a recent press conference.

After the hybrid Cayenne and the upcoming Panamera hybrid is released, Porsche is set to up the ante with the hybrid 918 Spyder (pictured) as a halo car to get attention and learn more about the new path the company is taking.

Other efficiency-raising efforts also include a 10-percent reduction in weight, increased use of carbon fibre bodywork and there’s even talk of returning to four-cylinder engines in some models, likely with forced induction and direct injection.

“If the CO2 guidelines require it, then our engines will become smaller and may have just four cylinders,” Duerheimer said. “The important thing is that the performance has to be right. The 911 must always be on the cutting edge.”

The Porsche development chief added: “We want to learn how we can electrify all our sports cars in the future with the help of the 918′s short production run.” Continue reading “Porsche to build hybrid version in every model line” »

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Porsche 918 hybrid heading into production

July 29th, 2010 by Car and SUV

It’s just be made official that Porsche put its radical 918 Spyder plug-in hybrid concept into limited production.

“Reflecting the overwhelming response from the public and customers to the Concept Study, the Supervisory Board gave Porsche’s Board of Management the mission to develop a production model based on the car already presented,” Porsche said in a statement just released.

The money men at Porsche calculated that in order for the car to be produced, the company needed a minimum of 1,000 orders. Reports in the beginning of July stated that at least 2,000 individuals had placed non-binding expressions of interest for the supercar.

“Production of the 918 Spyder in a limited series proves that we are taking the right approach with Porsche Intelligent Performance featuring the combination of supreme performance and efficient drivetrain concepts,” said Michael Macht, President and Chairman of the Board of Management of Porsche AG.

“We will develop the 918 Spyder in Weissach and assemble it in Zuffenhausen. This is also a very important commitment to Germany as a manufacturing base.”

The concept version of the mid-engined two-seater 918 Spyder utilised a plug-in hybrid drivetrain comprising of a mid-mounted 500HP 3.4 litre V8 petrol engine, and electric motors located on the front and rear axles with a combined output of 218-horsepower.

The company claims that the hybrid supercar should return an impressive 3 litres/100km economy with CO2 emissions of just 79g/km. In terms of performance the 918 should reach 100km/h in just 3.2 seconds and continue on to a top speed of around 320km/h and will lap the Nurburgring faster than its predecessor, the Carrera GT.

Porsche hasn’t announced when it will introduce the production version of the 918 Spyder, which is rumored to carry a price tag of around $630,000 ($871,000 NZ).

Continue reading “Porsche 918 hybrid heading into production” »

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The Development of the Porsche 918 Spyder

May 25th, 2010 by Car and SUV

Get exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the development of the new high-performance hybrid 918 Spyder

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Porsche 918 Spyder plug-in concept unleashed

March 3rd, 2010 by Car and SUV

It’s all about hybrids at this year’s Geneva Motor Show and Porsche has come to the party with its 918 Spyder concept.

With styling that borrows from the Carrera GT, the 918 Spyder is powered by both a 500-horsepower V8 and a pair of electric motors – for each axle – which produces an additional 218 hp or 160kW. At full gallop, the concept can theoretically reach 100 kph in 3.2 seconds and reach 318 kph at the high end. On the flip side, Porsche says it can also achieve 3.62l/100km economy and release just 70 grams of CO2 per kilometer.

How exactly can a supercar have such range? The 918 Spyder concept is what’s called a parallel hybrid like the now struggling Toyota Prius. That means that both powertrains, gas and electric, can operate together or separately to shift the wheels into motion. There are four modes in total that configure the powertrains for anything from maximum efficiency to maximum performance and measures inbetween. The E-Drive mode means pure electric power, and the car can reportedly last up to 25 kms electricity alone. Then there is Hybrid mode, which uses both motors and would probably be the mode for everyday around town driving. The Sport Hybrid mode again uses both powertrains, but tips the needle a bit more towards performance with most power reaching the rear wheels.

Finally, the Race Hybrid mode means everything is going for all-out performance. There’s an even a handy push-to-pass button that adds a bit of Electronic-boost and regenerative braking plays its part.

The concepts interior is also a point of interest with Porsche saying it will offer a glimpse at future interiors for the automaker.

Gallery

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