The Porsche 918 Spyder is here, and the convertible, carbon-fiber hybrid is fast.
Ungodly fast. Here’s why: Way before its flat-crank, 4.6-liter V-8 gets a chance to hit its epic 9,150 rpm redline, the 918’s two independent battery-powered motors kick in. The immediate surge they provide teams up with the conventional engine, enabling it to run from 0-60 in 2.5 seconds and hit 214 mph. It’s smart, too. Each time it’s braked for a turn, the 918 recaptures lost energy, then unharnesses it as soon as you’re back on the gas. That slingshot effect, along with its other Death Star–worthy digital innovations, recently gave the 887-horsepower Spyder the fastest production time ever at Germany’s Nürburgring track, taking the 12.8-mile run in less than seven minutes. The doubters are now convinced that the 918 points the way forward. But they’d better act fast. Only 918 individual cars are being produced.
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