2015 Porsche 918 Spyder Weissach

• Based on Porsches LMP2 car that races in the World Endurance Championship

• At the time of its release, the fastest road legal car to circle the Nürburgring Nordschleife with a record lap time is 6 min and 57 sec

• Still to this day Porsche’s gasoline/ electric hybrid powered flagship hypercar

• 297 of 918 total delivered to the United States, and one of 22 in Racing Yellow

The Porsche 918 Spyder was Porsches reattempt at the 2003-2006 production of the Carrera GT. The Carrera GT was created as a road going race car with the engine sourced from a Formula one car. The only issue, the GT could not handle well - the 918 was created to fix that issue.

The 918 boasts a 4.6L Hybrid V8 inspired by Porsches LMP2 car. Essentially creating a road legal race car. The 918 was the first road legal car to break the 7-minute barrier on the infamous Nürburgring road course. In comparison, the Lexus LFA rounded the Nürburgring in 7 minutes 12 seconds with the Nissan GTR completed it in 7 minutes 8 seconds. The tenacious handling of the Porsche 918 Spyder set it apart from its competitors. With its 4-wheel drive and 4-wheel steering systems cornering was made easy and ferocious.

This 918 Spyder is equipped with the powerful Weissach Package, which trims 88 lbs from the overall weight. Porsche achieved this by making the roof, rear wing, side mirrors, and windshield frame from clear-coated carbon fiber.  Additionally, there are carbon-fiber accents on the dissipation grills, and the rear diffuser. The magnesium center-lock wheels save an additional 30 lbs. The car is also wrapped in full-body film instead of traditional paint, cutting a further 5 lbs. Typical Weissach packages include the removal of the glove box, audio system, and air conditioning, but the owner requested that those items remain in this model. This package made the 918 “race ready”, with it being as light as possible to create the best version of itself within the car.

When in race mode, the 918 is equipped with multiple dynamic aerodynamic features. Included in these features are 2 undercar flaps, that are engaged when the car is put into race mode, creating ground effect which is also utilized in various race cars. For example, in Formula one, the front wing or rear diffusers used to create ground effects. This ground effect is crucial in making the 918 handle better. The 918 is also equipped with bumpers closing the front bumper air intakes that then creates even less drag in race mode.

The 918 is a member of the automotive “Holy Trinity”. The Holy Trinity in this retrospect includes the Mclaren P1, Ferrari La Ferrari and Porsche 918 Spyder. In a quarter mile drag race between the three, the Porsche blew the others off the road. The Porsche completed the quarter mile in 10.2 seconds, with the P1 in 2nd place at 10.5 sec, and the La Ferrari in 3rd at 11.1 sec. The Porsche races the P1 and the La Ferrari off the track, with more torque and horsepower than the others. But how? The P1 and the LaFerrari both have 664 ft-lbs of torque, compared to the Porsches 944 ft-lbs. Porsche is able to do this because of its 4-wheel drive system, allowing for more power and traction off of the line.

The 918 was also a more environmentally friendly car. With its hybrid motor, it is able to determine how each engine (combustion/electric) should be used to create the most efficient drive. It was able to drive 18 miles in total on just its electric motor alone. This 18 miles is more than the McLaren P1’s 7 miles, and the Ferrari La Ferraris 0 miles.

The Porsche 918 spyder Weissach is arguably the ultimate road going race car. With many features specifically made for the sole purpose of making it faster, more aerodynamic, and handle better, all of which are key characteristics of any race car. The 918 also paved the way for other hybrid engines, proving that it is not just fuel efficient, but can also be fun and performance enhancing.

Specifications:

Engine: 4.6-liter hybrid V8

Transmission: 7-speed PDK dual clutch

Power: 608 gas + 279 electric = 887 total hp @ 8700 rpm / 944 lb-ft torque @5000 rpm

Speed: 214 mph / 0-60 in 2.4 sec

Suspension: Double wishbone (Front) / Multi-Link (Rear)

Brakes: Porsche ceramic composite Brake (PCCB)