The Porsche 918 road car will be the Spyder
#1
01-24-2011, 11:46 AM
The Porsche 918 road car will be the Spyder 
Porsche 918 RSR hybrid race car from the 2011 Detriot Auto show
Porsche’s development boss has insisted the Detroit show-stopping 918 RSR hybrid race car will be developed alongside the open-topped Spyder road project, instead of replacing the 2010 Geneva concept.
The 756bhp RSR mixes the hybrid systems from Porsche’s 911 GT3 R hybrid project, the engine from the RS Spyder race car and the bodywork of the 918 Spyder, modified for vertically opening doors and a roof. The RSR’s launch at Detroit — marking Porsche’s return to the show after a four-year gap — prompted speculation that the 918 project as a whole had evolved into a hard-top.
But Porsche’s outgoing board member for development, Wolfgang Dürheimer, insisted that the hard-top development would be focused on motorsport. “The road application of this car is the 918 Spyder,” he told Autocar. “There is no decision taken that the coupé type will be available on the Spyder. We learned from the Carrera GT that the driving pleasure of the car is enhanced when you have the possibility to drive open or closed.
“We have always told people interested in the 918 Spyder that it will have a roof concept similar to the Carrera GT’s, with a lightweight carbonfibre panel. A closed car is better for motorsport, though.”
The 756bhp RSR mixes the hybrid systems from Porsche’s 911 GT3 R hybrid project, the engine from the RS Spyder race car and the bodywork of the 918 Spyder, modified for vertically opening doors and a roof. The RSR’s launch at Detroit — marking Porsche’s return to the show after a four-year gap — prompted speculation that the 918 project as a whole had evolved into a hard-top.
But Porsche’s outgoing board member for development, Wolfgang Dürheimer, insisted that the hard-top development would be focused on motorsport. “The road application of this car is the 918 Spyder,” he told Autocar. “There is no decision taken that the coupé type will be available on the Spyder. We learned from the Carrera GT that the driving pleasure of the car is enhanced when you have the possibility to drive open or closed.
“We have always told people interested in the 918 Spyder that it will have a roof concept similar to the Carrera GT’s, with a lightweight carbonfibre panel. A closed car is better for motorsport, though.”
918 road car will be Spyder - Autocar.co.uk
#3
01-24-2011, 03:35 PM
Since the day this car came out, I was expecting it to have a Carrera GT style roof when the production version arrived. I'm glad it will.
#7
01-25-2011, 11:02 AM
Porsche 918 RSR hybrid race car from the 2011 Detriot Auto show
Give me the car shown above in coupe form with it's current paint color & livery - replace it's hybrid powertrain with a couple of turbo's, further strengthen the engine's internals & move up the redline a couple of thousand to yeald about 867-967hp, call it the 918RS - done.
#9
02-14-2011, 08:57 AM
According to Wolfgang Durheimer ( Porsche's Executive Vice President ) there is the possibility that a 918 Coupe could be launched in the market.
From what he says this car would be very similar to the 918 RSR, it would have the V8 coming from the 918 Spyder but it would NOT be fitted with the Hibryd system.
This car would be built to "compete" against McLaren Mp4/12C.
From what he says this car would be very similar to the 918 RSR, it would have the V8 coming from the 918 Spyder but it would NOT be fitted with the Hibryd system.
This car would be built to "compete" against McLaren Mp4/12C.
Last edited by Ressy; 02-14-2011 at 10:57 AM.