Update: Auto Express Drives the Porsche 918 Sypder

Much like the two aforementioned vehicles, the 918 is a decidedly next-generation vehicle, and as such, it’s been built from the ground up with a hybrid drivetrain – an item of considerable consternation for sportscar purists. Combined output from the 4.6 liter V8 and dual electric motors is a whopping 875bhp and is sent to all four wheels.

 

If you’re a fan of numbers, the 918 sports quite a few interesting ones: 0-60mph is dispatched in a mere 2.5 seconds, and the 918 recently lapped the Nurhburgring in under seven minutes, potentially obliterating the production car record – if the 918 is considered a production car, which is still up for debate. Nevertheless, big horsepower and small lap times do not automatically equate to a great vehicle.

 

But Auto Express’s Owen Mildenhall is quick to alleviate fears that the 918 might be anything sort of fantastic:

 

"A masterpiece of engineering, the Porsche 918 Spyder rewrites the hypercar rulebook. It seamlessly blends cutting-edge hybrid technology with focused motorsport engineering to create a road car that delivers an incredible blend of performance and efficiency."

 

With a range of 18 miles, a 0-60mph time of just over seven seconds, and a top speed of 93mph – all while in zero-emissions mode – the 918 capable of raising an eyebrow or two without even calling upon its bespoke V8 engine to do so. On the track, Owen declares the 918’s performance as "simply staggering", offering never-before-seen levels of acceleration. Yet with the PASM active dampers, the car is reportedly very compliant for around town driving as well.

 

We look forward to getting some seat time in Porsche’s newest magnum opus for ourselves very soon. In the meantime, you check out the rest of Auto Express’s review of the Porsche 918 Spyder over at their site.