Porsche 918 Spyder beats own benchmarks

Perhaps motivated by McLaren releasing full performance figures for its new P1 hypercar, Porsche has announced fresh acceleration stats for its 918 Spyder, of which overseas deliveries commence shortly.

With the weight-optimised Weissach package fitted, the 918 Spyder now accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.6 seconds (-0.2 seconds), from zero to 200 km/h in 7.2 seconds (-0.5 seconds), and passes the 300 km/h mark after 19.9 seconds (-2.1 seconds).

These figures indicate the Porsche is a tad quicker than the McLaren P1 to 100km/h (the Brit hypercar takes 2.8sec), but the Mac seizes the initiative thereafter, crossing 200 kays in 6.8sec and 300km/h in a Bugatti Veyron-rivalling 16.5sec.

Porsche had already claimed the Nurburgring Norschschleife lap record for production cars with its Weissach package-equipped 918, which blasted around the daunting ‘Green Hell’ in 6min 57sec in the hands of seasoned racer Marc Lieb, who knows the circuit like the back of his hand.

That said, it’s believed the McLaren P1 has also gone below the seven-minute mark at the ’Ring, although the company hasn’t as yet gone public with the precise time. It may well be enough to beat the Porsche’s existing benchmark.

Be that as it may, Porsche can for now bask in the glory of its Nurburgring top-dog status, along with the new and improved straight-line performance figures the company has announced.

Where the hybrid-powered 918 scores decisively over the P1 and upcoming Ferrari LaFerrari is in its enviro-friendly credentials, as evidenced by the fact it can sprint from 0-100km/h in 6.2sec using solely the power from the electric motors that drive the front and rear axle.

This figure is seven-tenths of a second quicker than the previous time recorded for the same feat. What’s more, equipping the car with the Weissach package trims another 0.1sec off the split.

With the Weissach package fitted, the super Porsche’s total NEDC (New European Driving Cycle – supposed to represent the typical usage of a car in Europe) consumption is quoted at 3.0L/100km (3.1L/100km without the Weissach package).

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