3:08pm Friday 5th March 2010
By Glynn Williams
PORSCHE is keeping up the pace in enhancing efficiency combined with driving pleasure with no fewer than three stunning world debuts in hybrid technology unveiled this week at the Geneva international motor show.
The absolute highlight is the presentation of a concept of a high-performance mid-engined sports car with plug-in hybrid technology, the 918 Spyder, pictured.
It debuts alongside the Cayenne S Hybrid, the first production hybrid in the history of Porsche AG, and the 911 GT3 R Hybrid which is the first racing car from the Stuttgart marque with electric front axle drive and a flywheel energy reservoir.
In fact all the mainstream manufacturers are showing green machines, including Ferrari’s hybrid concept too while others like pioneers Toyota are launching production models.
Porsche’s 918 Spyder prototype combines hi-tech racing features and electro-mobility with the performance of a thoroughbred super sports car to offer a fascinating range of qualities.
These include the astounding emissions level of just 70g/km CO2 combined with fuel consumption equal to 94mpg on the new European Driving Cycle.
That feat would be outstanding even for an ultra-compact city car, yet is amazing when combined with the performance of a supercar.
Acceleration from 0-62mph is achievable in just under 3.2sec, a top speed of more than 198mph, and a lap time around the Nurburgring Nordschleife of less than 7min 30sec – faster than the Porsche Carrera GT.
The Porsche hybrid-drive show trio demonstrate the innovative power of Porsche as a genuine pioneer in hybrid drive. The highly innovative 918 Spyder concept open two-seater is powered by a high-speed petrol V8 developing more than 500bhp and running at maximum speed of 9,200rpm as well as electric motors on the front and rear axle with overall mechanical output of 218bhp.
The V8 combustion engine is a further development of the highly successful 3.4 litre power unit already featured in the RS Spyder racing car and positioned amidships in front of the rear axle, giving the car the optimum set-up for supreme performance on the race track through its inherent chassis balance.
Power is transmitted to the wheels by a seven-speed PDK double clutch transmission, which also feeds the power of the electric drive system to the rear axle.
The front-wheel electric drive, fuelled by a liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery with plug-in charger as well as brake energy regeneration, powers the wheels through a fixed transmission ratio.
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