Porsche
unleashes its hybrid hypercar on derestricted Northern
Territory roads.
Since the Northern Territory government derestricted
a stretch of the Stuart Highway, manufacturers have
started using it for high-speed hot weather testing.
The
new hybrid Honda NSX was spotted crossing the outback
a few weeks ago, and now Porsche has had a go in its
million dollar 918 Spyder.
While
the 918 isn’t for sale in Australia, Porsche
has been using it as a (very fast) tool to promote
its e-hybrid versions of the Cayenne and Panamera
models.
During
its outback blast the 918 travelled the first 25km
of the Stuart Highway in silent emissions-free electric
mode before the 4.6-litre naturally aspirated V8 was
fired up at the derestriction zone.
Porsche
claim the 918 can cover around 30km at 150km/h in
electric mode – making it significantly more
capable than its McLaren and Ferrari rivals, the latter
doesn’t even offer an electric mode.
Over
a period of around 40 seconds, the 661kW 918 went
from a leisurely 60km/h to its top speed of 350km/h
on the public road.
Porsche
had spotters located along the high-speed test route
to ensure the run would be as safe as possible –
obviously this isn’t something we recommend you
attempt in your own car.
The
918 is the most advanced production car that Porsche
has ever built, packing a hybrid all-wheel drive system,
active aerodynamics and carbon fiber structure.
The
Porsche is powered by a 453kW 4.6-litre race-bred
V8 engine which drives the rear wheels through a seven-speed
dual-clutch PDK automatic gearbox.
An
electric motor mounted on the front axle adds 95kW,
while another electric motor mounted between the engine
and rear wheels adds another 114kW.
The
total combined output is 661kW/1274Nm, enough to send
the 918 to 100km/h in less than 2.8 seconds.
Porsche
also claim a phenomenal combined fuel consumption
figure as low as 3.0L/100km.
While
here in Australia the 918 also lapped the Australian
Grand Prix circuit with Mark Webber at the wheel and
set the production car lap record at Philip Island
a few weeks ago.
The
Porsche 918’s local publicity tour is now over
however, and the car will soon be shipped back to
Germany.
Multimedia
Porsche’s
intelligent hybrid supercar, the 918 Spyder, completed
a remarkable feat in the Australian Outback on the
one stretch of road north of Alice Springs –
driving the first 25 kilometres out of the city centre
on electric power alone before unleashing all 652
kW of power from its electric motors and racing V8
engine to reach a top speed of 350 km/h.
The
transition from cruising silently at city speeds of
60 km/h to roaring race car for the road reaching
V-Max took just 40 seconds, completing an achievement
no other production car has ever managed on Australian
roads.
The
controlled test took place with a professional driver
at the wheel on the only public road in Australia
where such a feat is possible – the Northern
Territory’s section of straight, open speed highway.
The use of radios and spotters ensured the road was
completely devoid of traffic at the time.
Porsche
Intelligent Performance enables the 918 Spyder to
perform at both ends of the driving spectrum, showcasing
leading edge hybrid technology that will eventually
transfer into more Porsche road cars in the future.
As
demonstrated in Alice Springs, in full-electric ‘E-Power‘
mode the 918 Spyder can drive for up to 30 kilometres
at speeds up to 150 km/h through twin electric motors
developing maximum power of 210 kW at 6,500 rpm.
In
‘Race Hybrid‘ mode the electric motors work
in conjunction with the racing-inspired 4.6-litre
V8 petrol engine (447 kW at 8,700 rpm) to deliver
maximum total power output of 652 kW at 8,500 rpm.
This
synthesis of hybrid powertrain technology already
exists in three Porsche road cars – the 918 Spyder,
Panamera S E-Hybrid and recently launched in Australia
Cayenne S E-Hybrid, with Porsche confirming more hybrid
road cars are part of its future.
The
918 Spyder is in the final days of an Australia wide
promotional tour showcasing ‘Porsche E-Mobility‘;
having visited the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix
in Melbourne before going on to the Phillip Island
circuit for race laps and just now its Australian
Outback test.
In
between activities the 918 Spyder has been on static
display in Porsche Centre showrooms across the eastern
seaboard as part of a ‘Porsche E-Mobility‘
customer tour.
