Porsche begins driving trials for 918 Spyder prototypes
The Porsche 918 Spyder is now one step closer to its scheduled September 2013 production as the German carmaker has now started the driving trials for the prototypes of its hybrid supercar.
"What we are doing with the 918 Spyder is redefining driving fun, efficiency and performance," said Wolfgang Hatz, member of the executive board for research and development of Porsche AG.
The driving trials for the prototypes, camouflaged to resemble the legendary Porsche 917 racing car of the 1970s, are focused on the interplay between the 918 Spyder's internal-combustion engine and its two independent electric motors--one on the front axle and one in the drive line, acting on the rear wheels.
The 918 Spyder is designed as a plug-in hybrid vehicle combining a high-performance combustion engine with cutting-edge electric motors for extraordinary performance. While the car has the dynamics of a racing machine with a power output of 770hp, it is also a fuel miser with a consumption somewhere in the region of 33.33km/L.
Other unique features to the 918 Spyder that cannot be found in other Porsches are its full carbon-fiber reinforced plastic monocoque, fully adaptive aerodynamics, adaptive rear-axle steering, and the upward-venting 'top pipes' exhaust system.
"In the process, the 918 Spyder is offering a glimpse of what Porsche Intelligent Performance may be capable of in the future," the carmaker said in a statement.
