Porsche 918 Spyder Makes Green Sexy

By Nathan Ferguson on March 3, 2010 From Policy campaign

The rip-roaring hybrid electric Porsche 918 Spyder has got the attention of both eco-enthusiasts and car fanatics.  News is flying everywhere following Porsche’s debut at the Geneva Auto Show.

“Porsche 918 Spyder concept is the most beautiful hybrid we’ve ever seen,” was the headline on Engadget. And just to be clear how they felt about it, they continued,

Um, we’re sure there’s something sensible to be said about this Porsche concept, but we’re not altogether capable of coherent expression at present. We want to own one of these so badly, we don’t even care if it has an engine. And boy does the 918 Spyder have an engine.

Drivingsports.com said this about the Spyder:

With a parallel hybrid system, this eco-friendly version of the Carrera GT manages a claimed 78 miles to the gallon. Seriously.

Depending on your mood, the system can be set in one of four modes: e-drive, which is pure electric. Hybrid, which makes it act like a Prius – only not so ugly. Sport, which sacrifices some economy. And finally Race… which gouges economy right in the eye, plucks it, frys it and serves it up with a side of cole slaw.

Features:

  • 500-horsepower 6.2 liter V8
  • 2 electric motors (one per axle) producing an additional 218 hp or 160kW
  • 0 to 60 in 3.2 seconds
  • 198 mph top speed
  • 16 mile range on electric alone
  • 78 miles per gallon
  • 70 grams of CO2 per kilometer

It’s still just a concept car, so we’ll have to wait and see if it ever goes into production. Nelson Ireson speculates it may replace the Carrera GT; If it does, it will definitely set the pace… and redefine what it means to drive an eco-friendly vehicle.

This was Porsche 918 Spyder Makes Green Sexy, an entry in our Policy Campaign from March 3, 2010. It was filed under Business

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