When the Porsche 918 RSR stole all the glory at the 2011 Detroit auto show, there was some talk as to whether it would be developed together with the 918 Spyder concept, or whether it would replace that model. According to sources cited by Autocar, Porsche has confirmed that the 918 RSR will be a stand-alone project, and won’t replace the lovely Spyder concept. The 918 RSR originally appeared as a melting pot of models from Porsche, being the next step in the 911 GT3 R hybrid models, but taking the engine of the RS Spyder and design inspiration from the 918 Spyder.

When the Porsche 918 RSR was revealed at Detroit, it sparked rumours that the model would be the sole flag bearer of the 918 line-up. But outgoing Porsche development board member, Wolfgang Durheimer, has said that the hard-top 918 RSR would be a motorsports model, much in the vein of the 911 GT3 R hybrid. Any road going 918 model to get to production, would likely be in the form of the 918 Spyder, or an open-top model anyway.

The hard top model could be headed for race series success, but not this year as it would be difficult to make the modifications required in 2011 to make this car eligible for racing. No production of either of the models was officially confirmed, but what the statements do reveal is that Porsche considers its Spyder and RSR models two distinct offerings. Durheimer also said that Porsche would offer petrol-hybrid models across its range in the future.

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What do you to say to a mix of the Porsche 918 Spyder concept and the amazing 911 GT3 R Hybrid all in one racing Porsche 918 RSR? The model, revealed at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, is the next hybrid step in Porsche’s model range and is, again, nothing short of impressive. The 918 RSR is a kind of prototype preview of the technology that Porsche will use on future racing models, and even if you’re not into the new wave of environmental tech and the pressure put on sports car companies like Porsche, the results have been astonishing with models like these - enough to please any petrol head out there.

The Porsche 918 RSR has the same drivetrain set-up as the 911 GT3 R Hybrid, although this latest version gets even more power. The new V8 is based on that which appeared on the 918 Spyder and produces 563 hp. The rest of the hair-raising power is provided by two front-wheel electric motors, each producing another 102 hp to make for a total of 767 hp combined. It uses the same flywheel accumulator as the GT3 R Hybrid for extra energy storage (like having a powerful, onboard generator) and the front electric motors are equipped with a torque vectoring function for variable torque distribution.

Further aspects include a six-speed, racing transmission with paddle shift and the chassis is a carbon fibre, reinforced plastic (CFRP) monocoque. The accumulator mentioned above sits where the passenger seat would originally be, making this a one-pilot car, and it can be used for power boosts of up to eight seconds. Below you can find all the pics live from Detroit, along with the press release.

Continue reading: Live from Detroit: Porsche 918 RSR

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Porsche will be field-testing three all-electric Boxster models as part of its development of electric drive technology. Porsche is splashing out more trying to keep its sports style while developing its environmental qualifications more. The Cayenne hybrid is the first production model of its kind for Porsche and recently we have also seen the 911 GT3 Hybrid and the 918 Spyder with hybrid powertrain (possibly headed for production).

Porsche will start testing in 2011 and there is a focus on battery technology as well as some market research on electric mobility, including infrastructure issues. A challenge for Porsche though, is to develop electric drive technology while remaining faithful to what it describes as “product qualities typical of a Porsche”.

Porsche may have pulled this off with the 911 GT3 Hybrid and its racing bent. While we’re more on the purists side of the fence with a brand like Porsche, we can see the need to develop more sustainable vehicles. And we’ll be interested to see what Porsche has up its sleeve with the three electric Boxsters in testing.

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A competition version of the Porsche 918 Spyder concept will debut at the 24-hour Nurburgring in 2011. The news comes as the 2010 event is about to close which saw the debut of the first 911 GT3R Hybrid. It was leading the racing until a technical problem forced it to retire.

The 918 Spyder was presented as a concept model at this year’s Geneva Motor Show and it’s equipped with a 3.4-litre V8 engine based on the RS Spyder, and three electric motors. The rseult is a total of 718 hp and some incredible figures: just 3 l/100 km of fuel consumption and 70 g/km of CO2 emissions. It has a top speed of 320 km/hr and can reach 100 km/hr in just 3.2 seconds.

It looks like a market debut for the 918 Spyder is certain and we can’t wait to see it at the classic 24 hr Nurburgring race where it could be more than just a curiosity on the track and every bit a real contender.

Source | Auto Motor und Sport

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The Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid and Cayenne S Hybrid get their own video in this “Two concepts, one idea: Efficiency” video from Porsche. Both models’ hybrid systems have been developed through the Porsche Intelligent Performance program. At the 2010 Geneva motor show we also saw the Porsche 918 Spyder Concept which also combines traditional fuel technology with an electric motor. See more of the 911 GT3 R Hybrid and Cayenne S Hybrid models in the video.

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Following release of pics of the new generation Porsche Cayenne, the company had a strong offering at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, with the lovely Porsche 918 Spyder on show, alongside the Porsche Cayenne S hybrid and Porsche 911 GT3R Hybrid. Such that the new Porsche Cayenne and 997 Turbo S faded into the background. In the galleries below you’ll see Porsche live at Geneva, and the official pics of the new Cayenne.

Everything about the Cayenne restyling suggests more sport and less utility. It is lighter, more compact looking (although longer) and has more Porsche style than previously. The major evolution in the model, though, is the new hybrid version, which will be available from its market launch date, expected in dealerships from May 8th. The Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid is equipped with a 3.0-litre V6 turbo engine with 333 hp, and a battery-powered motor with another 47 hp, for a total of 380 hp. It produces 193 g/km of CO2 emissions and has fuel consumption of 8.2 litres per 100 km.

The new Cayenne diesel is also more environmental than the previous model, consuming 20 percent less fuel with its 3.0-litre V6 with 240 hp and 550 Nm of torque. Other engine options include the 4.8-litre V8 of the Cayenne S and the Turbo, while the entry level Cayenne model now also has the eight-speed Tiptronic S with Start&Stop technology. Automatic transmission is available on all models.

Continue reading: New Porsche Cayenne and live pics from Geneva

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Here’s the official promo video of the Porsche 918 Spyder: the plug-in hybrid concept presented at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. It is equipped with a 3.4-litre V8 engine with 500 hp, matched to electric motors which produce another 218 hp in total. It has a seven-speed PDK transmission and can accelerate to 100 km/hr in 3.2 seconds. Top speed is 317 km/hr. Four driving modes are included: E-Drive (full electric for a 25 km range), Hybrid, Sport Hybrid and Race Hybrid. Live pics of the Porsche 918 Spyder are below.

Continue reading: Porsche 918 Spyder Concept video and live pics from Geneva

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The Porsche 918 Spyder Concept with plug-in hybrid technology will be hosted at the 2010 Geneva Show, with Porsche showing off its environmental supercar effort. The 918 Spyder Concept has a V8 thermal engine with 500 hp, combined with three electric motors which produce a total of 218 hp. In the photos we can see president Michael Macht and tester Walter Rohrl.

Despite having more than 700 hp, the 918 Spyder Concept produces just 70 g/km of C02 emissions, while fuel consumption is a mere three litres per 100 km. It’s a twin-seater sports car with centrally mounted engine, and these figures are truly surprising for this kind of car. More live pics from Geneva to come.

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