New 918 to out-corner LaFerrari and P1, says Porsche

martini 918 2

The battle of the hypercars has begun, even before any of the three contenders start production. Porsche fired the first salvo, claiming that its upcoming 918 Spyder will be faster than the Ferrari LaFerrari and McLaren P1. And that’s despite being down on power and weighing more than both its archrivals.

Porsche’s product manager James Eastwood told CAR UK the 918 Spyder’s combined 887 hp hybrid powertrain and through-the-road electric four-wheel drive make it more than capable to match its 900+ hp rivals, citing a technological advantage in its favour.

Its rear-wheel drive rivals will have to brake in a straight line, compromising corner-entry speed. The 918’s torque vectoring and independently-driven front wheels can maintain better drive and achieve higher entry and mid-corner speed. Four-wheel steer increases agility too, and is worth an extra 50 hp or 100 kg weight saving over a racing lap claims Eastwood.

As it is a prototype 918 Spyder has lapped the Nurburgring in 7 minutes and 14 seconds – much quicker than the Carrera GT and the latest 911 Turbo S – and that car was driven by an engineer rather than a racing driver. Expect it to improve on that as well as the sub-3 seconds 0-100 km/h time and 325 km/h claimed top speed when it reaches its final production form.

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Hafriz Shah

Preferring to drive cars rather than desks, Hafriz Shah ditched his suit and tie to join the ranks of Malaysia’s motoring hacks. A car’s technical brilliance is completely lost on him, appreciating character-making quirks more. When not writing this ego trip of a bio, he’s usually off driving about aimlessly, preferably in a car with the right combination of three foot pedals and six gears.

 

Comments

  • ABTguy on May 16, 2013 at 4:56 pm

    hmm….. German’s Technology !!

    The German will never wanted to be losing to Italian !

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 1
    • frenzyaustin on May 16, 2013 at 6:05 pm

      German, Italian and Britain came up with Hybrid Hypercar. Asian must not lose them! Toyota/Honda, please let us proud with upcoming LF-LC/NSX!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
      • Ohio is in America, not Asia ;)

        http://paultan.org/2013/05/15/honda-nsx-ohio/

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2
        • Latiff on May 17, 2013 at 12:15 pm

          Even if a Proton born in Mexico, its still Malaysian. ;)

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
        • frenzyaustin on May 18, 2013 at 12:27 pm

          Assembled in America, still not sure who’s the head of engineer is.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • this is like the case of the nissan gtr. Lower/on par power output, heavier than most supercars, yet it laps the nurburgring faster due to its handling and traction.

    Maybe nissan should join in and spoil the party with its own hybrid hypercar lolz

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 2
  • Jimmy on May 16, 2013 at 9:37 pm

    Classic sportscar look, no need spaceship design, also can be very cantiq.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Joe Radzif on May 17, 2013 at 9:20 am

    did anyone notice at the car with 05 livery…
    there is black tape at the right front head lamp…
    huahahaha….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
 

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