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Automotive Technology
AUTOS: Hybrid Concept Unveiled By Porsche
Mid-engine sports car touts super high performance with ultra-low emisssions and 78 miles per gallon.
SPEED Staff  |  Posted March 01, 2010   Geneva (SW)
The Porsche 918 Spyder concept, with a pair of auto journalists checking it out on its display stand, was the hit of the Geneva Auto Show. (Photo: Porsche)
A low-emission, mid-engine sports-car concept with equal measures of high performance and fuel efficiency was unveiled by Porsche today at the Geneva Auto Show.

The 918 Spyder concept combines high-tech racing features with electric-mobility to
offer a n impressive range of qualities. The concept is planned to provide ultra-low emissions and about 78 miles per gallon with super-car performance of zero to 62 mph in 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 198 mph.

The low, aggressive-looking concept car was presented by Michael Macht, president and CEO of Porsche AG, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany.

The 918 Spyder is one of three Porsche models with hybrid drive making their world
debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. The trio includes Porsche’s new Cayenne S
Hybrid SUV with parallel full-hybrid drive; the 911 GT3 R Hybrid race car with electric
drive on the front axle and a flywheel mass battery; and the two-seater high-performance 918 Spyder mid-engine sports car with plug-in hybrid technology.

This open two-seater is powered by a high-revving V8 developing more than 500 horsepower and a maximum engine speed of 9,200 rpm, plus electric motors on the front and rear axle with overall mechanical output of 218 horsepower.

The V8 combustion engine is the next step in the evolution of the highly successful 3.4-liter power unit featured in the RS Spyder racing car and positioned mid-ship, in front of the rear axle, giving the car excellent balance and the right set-up for superior performance on the race track.

The energy reservoir is a fluid-cooled lithium-ion battery positioned behind the passenger cell. The major advantage of a plug-in hybrid is that the battery can be charged on the regular electrical network. The car’s kinetic energy is converted into electrical energy fed into the battery when applying the brakes, thus providing additional energy for fast and dynamic acceleration.

A button on the steering wheel allows the driver to choose among four different running
modes: The E-Drive mode is for running the car under electric power alone, with a range of up to 16 miles. In the Hybrid mode, the 918 Spyder uses both the electric motors and the combustion engine as a function of driving conditions and requirements, offering a range from particularly fuel-efficient all the way to extra-powerful.

The Sport Hybrid mode uses both drive systems but with the focus on performance. Most of the drive power goes to the rear wheels, with Torque Vectoring serving to improve the car’s driving dynamics.

In the Race Hybrid mode, the drive systems are focused on pure performance with the highest standard of driving dynamics on the track, running at the limit to their power and dynamic output. With the battery sufficiently charged, a push-to-pass button feeds in dditional electrical power (E-Boost), when overtaking or for even better performance.

Like the drivetrain, the lightweight body structure of the Porsche 918 Spyder bears out the car’s DNA carried over directly from motorsport. The modular structure with its monocoque bodyshell is made of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic and liberal use of magnesium and aluminum not only reduce weight to below 3,285 pounds but ensure a high level of torsional stiffness.

Reminiscent of highly successful, legendary racing cars such as the Porsche 917 and the current Porsche RS Spyder, the 918 Spyder, with its design concept so typical of Porsche arouses powerful emotions, according to Porsche. The smooth balance of tradition and progress gives the car a powerful presence.

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