Porsche 918 Spyder Claims 6:57 Nürburgring Record

[Don Vito Corleone]

From http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2013/09/porsche-918-spyder-claims-657-nurburgring-record.html -

The new champion of the Nürburgring is the Porsche 918 Spyder, setting a new fastest lap time on the Green Hell and laying claim to being the first production car to run a sub-seven minute lap.

Speaking today at the world premiere of the production 918 Spyder, Porsche racing legend Walter Rohrl confirmed the plug-in hybrid super sports car can lap the famed racetrack in just 6 minutes and 57 seconds.

That time is a full 15 seconds faster than the previous record, recorded by the Dodge Viper ACR. Two lap times below a 6:57 have been recorded by Radicals, though the cars are hardly production vehicles and aren’t street legal in certain markets (like North America).

“We promised a great deal with the 918 Spyder, namely to redefine driving pleasure, efficiency and performance,” said Porsche AG R&D boss Wolfgang Hatz. “We have kept our word.”

In a release, Porsche says the record was broken in the 918 Spyder’s very first attempt. Three drivers in total had a chance to pilot the car including European Rally Champion Walter Röhrl, Porsche test driver Timo Kluck and Porsche factory driver Marc Lieb. All three beat the previous record, with Lieb laying the 6:57 lap time.

The car that ran the record time isn’t a conventional 918 Spyder, but a limited edition, track oriented Weissach Package model. That particular car uses lightweight magnesium wheels which drop the car’s overall weight by 77 lbs. The option pack also includes six-point racing harnesses plus additional aerodynamics and a selection of colors inspired by legendary Porsche racing cars.

The optional Weissach package costs $84,000 bringing the 918 Spyder’s price up to $929,000.

Wow! I have great faith in Porsche's chassis engineers, but on paper the 918 does not seem competitive with the P1 or the LaFerrari (I hate even typing that dopey name!). This is an amazing time, and a full seven seconds quicker than the rumored time for the P1 (supposedly the P1 ran a 7:04 but McLaren doesn't want to make its time public until it can break seven minutes). By way of comparison, the Enzo ran a 7:25 lap. Very impressive . . .

EDIT: Porsche has posted a quick promo video - not the whole run - at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bc9UUPNaOzE

 

[bolinder]

A co-worker of mine has one on order. He is currently driving his 911 Turbo S Edition 918 Spyder (the optional car(!) on the options list). Looking forward to seeing it in person.

 

[halik]

Can't even imagine what it would do if it didn't have to haul half of ton of batteries...

 

[exar333]

An important thing to keep in mind was this was done with STOCK tires (Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 - see below's article). That is impressive.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the Viper ACR is about 1/8 the price of this. That's also pretty crazy when you take into account perf/dollar.

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/News/Search-Results/Industry-News/Porsche-918-Spyder-laps-Nurburgring-in-under-7min/

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

A co-worker of mine has one on order. He is currently driving his 911 Turbo S Edition 918 Spyder (the optional car(!) on the options list). Looking forward to seeing it in person.

Yow! Do you work here by any chance?

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Can't even imagine what it would do if it didn't have to haul half of ton of batteries...

True. I thought the Chris Harris piece on the 918 was interesting, in that he had the same skepticism and never really lost it despite how impressive the car is in hybrid form.

 

[TridenT]

At over $900,000... I don't give a fuck what it runs on the Nurburgring or if it's considered a "production" car.

 

[JCH13]

Can't even imagine what it would do if it didn't have to haul half of ton of batteries...

Wut...

It has a <7kWhr battery... it might weigh 60-150lbs (numbers I calculated from the energy density of lithium ion batteries) but not 1,000lbs.

I bet it would be slower without its electronic drive, the easily controllable and immense torque available from it's electric motors must make it incredibly fast.

However, I would be interested to see how fast it's 3rd or 4th lap is, once the battery packs have depleted their initial charge and are relying solely on regenerative braking and engine charging.

 

[MagickMan]

True. I thought the Chris Harris piece on the 918 was interesting, in that he had the same skepticism and never really lost it despite how impressive the car is in hybrid form.

He also pointed out that a Carrera GT with new Michelin cups would likely be almost as fast as the 918. If they'd simply came out with a V10 w/ 800bhp for the 918, leaving off the electrics, it likely would be faster still. But it wouldn't be all "green" and shit, like that even matters.

 

[MagickMan]

Wut...

It has a <7kWhr battery... it might weigh 60-150lbs (numbers I calculated from the energy density of lithium ion batteries) but not 1,000lbs.

I bet it would be slower without its electronic drive, the easily controllable and immense torque available from it's electric motors must make it incredibly fast.

However, I would be interested to see how fast it's 3rd or 4th lap is, once the battery packs have depleted their initial charge and are relying solely on regenerative braking and engine charging.

He's talking about the motors, batteries, and all the other EV crap. Make an updated Carrera GT, at <1500kg, w/ a TT V10, and it would smoke the 918 (and the P1, and the Ferrari, La Ferrari, Ferrari).

 

[JCH13]

He's talking about the motors, batteries, and all the other EV crap. Make an updated Carrera GT, at <1500kg, w/ a TT V10, and it would smoke the 918 (and the P1, and the Ferrari, La Ferrari, Ferrari).

He said "1,000lbs of batteries" not "1,000lbs of hybrid drive components" and I would be surprised if the whole system weighed 1,000lbs all said and done.

Everyone should stop thinking that hybrid drive systems are a hindrance and not an advantage. KERS-equipped cars in F1 have shown (small) lap time advantages for only 80hp-capable electric drives (that weight a whopping 77lbs). If it's showing benefits in the racing world, why is it a bad thing on the street? Not all hybrids have to be gutless econo-boxes like the Prius.

 

[bolinder]

Yow! Do you work here by any chance?

Nope, better. Texas!

 

[MagickMan]

He said "1,000lbs of batteries" not "1,000lbs of hybrid drive components" and I would be surprised if the whole system weighed 1,000lbs all said and done.

Everyone should stop thinking that hybrid drive systems are a hindrance and not an advantage. KERS-equipped cars in F1 have shown (small) lap time advantages for only 80hp-capable electric drives (that weight a whopping 77lbs). If it's showing benefits in the racing world, why is it a bad thing on the street? Not all hybrids have to be gutless econo-boxes like the Prius.

Speed, speed, speed, it doesn't matter a damned bit as much as people want to think. Engagement triggers excitement, not pure velocity. If you increase mass and weight, you decrease mechanical feel, and no amount of tech-witchery can get it all back. I don't care about the fastest `ring times, as long as it's fast enough, I don't need a KERS system, I'm not racing for championship points.

I've driven most everything out there, from a Veyron down to a Fiesta, and with few exceptions, the more techie they get, the less exciting and involving they are. We don't spend our lives on tracks.

 

[JCH13]

Speed, speed, speed, it doesn't matter a damned bit as much as people want to think. Engagement triggers excitement, not pure velocity. If you increase mass and weight, you decrease mechanical feel, and no amount of tech-witchery can get it all back. I don't care about the fastest `ring times, as long as it's fast enough, I don't need a KERS system, I'm not racing for championship points.

I've driven most everything out there, from a Veyron down to a Fiesta, and with few exceptions, the more techie they get, the less exciting and involving they are. We don't spend our lives on tracks.

If that's your point, why did you suggest that your V10 TT porsche would 'smoke' other cars? That suggests that speed is all that you care about.

I am right there with you that the most engaging cars have the least amount of electronic nannies. However, I see a number of technological reasons why electric drive, or hybrid drive, could be superior to straight ICE drive. Namely response and control over the drivetrain, electronic nannies aside (every modern super/hyper car is chalk-full of them so driving is fun and exciting instead of nerve-wracking and likely to kill you).

If you have a compelling reason why the extra power/control is a bad thing, I'd love to hear it. I'd also be interested to hear justification for a twin-turbo V10 being lighter than an NA V8+low capacity hybrid drive given the numerous plumbing, cooling, and other subsystem changes needed to support a twin turbo V10 and without the insane assumption that a hybrid system weighs 1,000lbs.

 

[Skurge]

Thats on 10secs slower than the 900KG Zonda R on slicks...

 

[nerp]

Sometimes engagement isn't as thrilling as speed for everyone. Some people thinking puttering around in a Triumph is the best thing ever. But then there are people who aren't all that moved by British roadsters and would rather be behind the wheel of something less visceral but faster and more modern and comfortable. There was a guy posting on here about how exciting the electric Fit is to drive. He might dig Porche's hybrid tech more than the latest Vette.

 

[Skurge]

Speed, speed, speed, it doesn't matter a damned bit as much as people want to think. Engagement triggers excitement, not pure velocity. If you increase mass and weight, you decrease mechanical feel, and no amount of tech-witchery can get it all back. I don't care about the fastest `ring times, as long as it's fast enough, I don't need a KERS system, I'm not racing for championship points.

I've driven most everything out there, from a Veyron down to a Fiesta, and with few exceptions, the more techie they get, the less exciting and involving they are. We don't spend our lives on tracks.

You can't just assume the car is less engaging to drive cause it has electric motors. People rave about the 458 and the 918 is only a little heaver. It's sounds equally amazing and looks equally responsive. Porsche don't make boring cars. Even the Cayenne Turbo can be drifted like a sports car through corners and people love that about it. So I think you should hold off on calling the 918 unexciting just cause it has electric motors. If you don't care about speed. Get a cayman of a base 911.

Also, few people mention the 458 is just as techie as a GTR. It's how Ferrari has used them that's the difference.

 

[dstevod]

A co-worker of mine has one on order. He is currently driving his 911 Turbo S Edition 918 Spyder (the optional car(!) on the options list). Looking forward to seeing it in person.

Er, wow! That's impressive.

S

 

[dstevod]

You can't just assume the car is less engaging to drive cause it has electric motors. People rave about the 458 and the 918 is only a little heaver. It's sounds equally amazing and looks equally responsive. Porsche don't make boring cars. Even the Cayenne Turbo can be drifted like a sports car through corners and people love that about it. So I think you should hold off on calling the 918 unexciting just cause it has electric motors. If you don't care about speed. Get a cayman of a base 911.

Also, few people mention the 458 is just as techie as a GTR. It's how Ferrari has used them that's the difference.

Indeed.

Watch the Chris Harris video on the all-electric Merc SLS. It's all about torque vectoring.

Although it's a different system to the 918 admittedly.

S

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Thats on 10secs slower than the 900KG Zonda R on slicks...

True - the operative words being "900KG" and "slicks." I am a full-blown Pagani whore and think he is the greatest automotive artist in the world at the moment, but the Zonda R is obviously not a car that even the wealthiest, most skillful hedge fund manager or oil tycoon could drive to work (unlike the 918).

 

[exdeath]

That's ok. Next CTS-V will probably beat this, while warming your coffee and massaging your ass, and with 4 passengers and a trunk full of groceries at the rate things are going.