At first glance, it is clear that 918 is not just any Porsche. In terms of design, it could undoubtedly have been launched tomorrow and every single detail oozes “supercar”.
Our test car was equipped with a lightweight package called “Weissach” which involves copious amounts of carbon fiber, something that contributes to the car’s aggressive appearance.
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The Porsche 918 uses electrification in favor of performance. (Photo: William Koitrand) Still modern
Getting behind the wheel of the 918 is a decidedly special experience. The rock-hard shell seats and the six-point belt all speak for themselves. Rolling out of Porsche’s museum in one of their 918s is an experience as special as it sounds.
The result is insane amounts of attention, and both motorists and pedestrians strain to get as close as possible.
918 cars were produced from September 2013 to June 2015 at a price that started at 781,000 euros in 2013, more than 11 million kroner today.
However, the car we drove was car #926, a pre-series car owned by Porsche themselves.
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The interior is a German story. (Photo: William Koitrand)
Today, a Porsche 918 is worth around 20 million. (Photo: William Koitrand)Sushi on wheels
The Porsche 918 is the first production car to achieve the feat of driving around famously
Nürburgring north loop in under seven minutes. In terms of driving experience and rawness, it feels like a genuine racing car.
If you drive the 918 slowly, the car is at least as accommodating as any Porsche. However, it is important not to dwell on the fact that it is a car worth tens of millions.
The fact that the car in question is also not part of the regular edition, but is a factory-owned prototype, hardly makes the price tag any less staggering.
Concepts such as “comfort” were not used extensively during development, something that one notices with ill wit. Sound insulation in the Weissach variant is almost non-existent, which means that you simply hear more from the powertrain and the surroundings than in other cars.
You really feel every little grain of gravel and bump in the road, for better or for worse. However, the 918 is easily controlled and responds quickly to the driver’s inputs, which during more normal driving makes it feel as user-friendly as a wider 911.
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We borrowed the car from the Porsche museum. (Photo: William Koitrand)Recalibrates one’s senses
The tile in the carpet results in an experience that is difficult to put into words. The 4.6-litre V8 engine roars to life and the push forward is accompanied by two electric motors.
The first thing that happens is that the electric motors take the lead, closely followed by the high-octane horses. They make themselves known with neck-breaking acceleration, while the exhaust – which is within reach – howls with satisfaction.
Although performance is insanely impressive straight ahead, we wanted to explore the Porsche 918’s dynamic skills on the Black Forest’s twistier roads.
The steering is as precise as a surgeon and the car’s razor-sharp prowess just dominates the whole experience. Although the 918 has absolutely brutal performance, you don’t necessarily get the feeling that it’s trying to kill you.
However, not everyone can get behind the wheel and master the 918, but you can still get a lot out of the driving experience without risking your life.
In total, the Porsche 918 pumps out a whopping 887 horsepower and an insane 1,280 newton meters. In other words, the 918 is insanely fast. The adrenaline rush at the slightest throttle can be likened to a tsunami.
Behind the wheel, you become completely lyrical, and you just want to drive and drive and drive.
Approaching any sleepy German village, one can simply flip the drive mode selector to electric, changing the soundscape from drowning out a music festival to being on par with a library.
Dynamic driving is also rewarded with a quick battery recharge – something that benefits both performance and the ability to glide through communities without becoming unfriendly to all the inhabitants.
In practice, this means that you are never in a situation where the battery is completely empty, and you can thus take advantage of the full effect whenever you want.
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The Porsche 918 looks spectacular. (Photo: William Koitrand)
The Porsche 918 is the grandson of the Porsche 959. (Photo: William Koitrand) The Porsche 918 is absolutely incredible
Over a decade later, the 918 is incredibly impressive. The performance is intoxicating and the design still stands.
The driving experience is sensational and feels more on par with a genuine racing car rather than a street car.
The 918’s ability to etch itself into the history books and show that electrification can open new doors in terms of driving experience still stands today.
The 918 is brutally fast. (Photo: William Koitrand)
Porsche 918 Spyder Weissach Package (2013)
Engine: 4.6-liter V8, electric motor, 887 horsepower, 1,280 newton meters
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox, four-wheel drive
Acceleration 0–100 km/h: 2.6 seconds
Acceleration 0–200 km/h: 7.2 seconds
Acceleration 0–300 km/h: 19.9 seconds
Top speed: 345 km/h
Electrical range: 19 kilometersr
Weight: 1,634 kg
Dimensions (length/height/width): 4643/1167/1940 mm