Porsche 918 Spyder (2013)
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With the hybridised 918 Spyder, in 2013 Porsche announced a development that in this decade will lead to the brand’s first purely electrically driven sports car, introducing a new era. The 918 Spyder offers high performance on the race track, but can also glide through the city exhaust-free and virtually without a sound. Thanks to its advanced plug-in hybrid design, it combines a system performance of 652 kW (887 hp) with a top speed of 345 km/h and an NEDC average fuel consumption of 3.1 litres/100 km. In 2013, the 918 Spyder became the first series-production sports car to break the seven-minute barrier on the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Its record lap time of 6.57 minutes was due, among other factors, to the additional thrust of its two electric motors and the power hybrid knowledge that Porsche had previously gained with the 911 GT3 R Hybrid.
A special feature of the two-seat standard super sports car is its three independent engines. They can be controlled individually, and set the stage for a unique all-wheel drive concept by exploiting all the possibilities of the combined drive. A 4.6 litre and 447 kW (608 hp) high-revving V8 engine forms the basis of the concept. By means of a dry decoupler, it connects directly to a parallel-switched electric motor with 115 kW (156 hp). Both can power the rear axle either individually or jointly via a seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK). If no drive power is needed, the motors can be completely decoupled at speeds of up to 150 km/h. This allows for the typical Porsche “coasting” with the combustion engine switched off.
The second electric drive operates mechanically, independently of the rear axle. The permanently activated synchronous motor with internal rotor is small, light and combines a maximum engine speed of 16,000 rotations per minute with high performance development. Via a transmission with a constant gear ratio, it sends up to 95 kW (129 hp) to the front wheels. This means that the 918 has a temporary all-wheel drive that improves traction and offers advantages in terms of driving dynamics. The front electric motor decouples via an integrated claw clutch only above speeds of approximately 265 km/h. As a result the electric all-wheel drive function is available at practically any time.
In addition to boosting, both electric units can also regain energy. This electrical current is stored by lithium-ion batteries with a capacity of 6.8 kWh. Placed diagonally in the monocoque floor behind the seats, they are distinguished by special individual cells. As is typical for plug-ins, they can also be charged on a plug socket with the on-board alternating charger in a maximum of 3.8 hours or via the optional direct current fast-charging station from Porsche in 25 minutes.
