Porsche 918 RSR



When Porsche unveiled the 918 Spyder concept at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show it was a shock. Porsche's designers had actually come up with something entirely new! Then when it was revealed that the car might make it to production it was a cause for celebration.

The next step on the road to development was, naturally, to make a coupe version of the 918. And that's exactly what Porsche did for the 2011 North American International Auto Show.


The Porsche 918 RSR is a single-seat mid-engined coupe that combines the stunning, svelte lines of the 918 Spyder, with the potent drivetrain of the 911 GT3 R Hybrid race car.

And don't let the word 'hybrid' fool you. The 918 RSR is a serious bit of high-performance kit. The V8 engine is a further development of the direct injection engine from the successful RS Spyder race car, but for the 918 RSR it has been tuned to deliver an output of 563 hp at 10,300 rpm. The electric motors on the two front wheels each contribute 102 hp (75 kW), to the overall power output - meaning that a maximum of 767 hp is on tap. This additional power, which is generated during braking, is stored in an optimized flywheel accumulator.


This flywheel accumulator is an electric motor whose rotor rotates at up to 36,000 rpm to store rotation energy. Charging takes place when the two electric motors on the front axle reverse their function during braking processes and operate as generators. At the push of a button, the driver is able to use the energy stored in the charged flywheel accumulator during acceleration or overtaking maneuvers.

This additional boost in power is available for around eight seconds when the system is fully charged. In the 911 GT3 R Hybrid race car, drivers also used this additional electrical power to reduce fuel consumption.

In the Porsche 918 RSR, the two electric motors offer a torque vectoring function with variable torque distribution to the front axle. This feature improves the car's agility and speeds up the steering response. Mounted ahead of the rear axle, the engine is coupled to a racing transmission that is also based on that from the RS Spyder. This six-speed constant-mesh transmission is actuated using two shift paddles mounted behind the steering wheel.


One quick glance at the Porsche 918 RSR tells you two things instantly. Firstly it's clearly based on the 918 Spyder, and secondly it's not for road use.

The lines of the 918 RSR are almost identical to those found on the Spyder, in fact the only noticeable changes are the fixed roof, and the racing modifications which include small winglets on either side of the front bumper, and a large rear spoiler for improved downforce over the rear axle.


Racing features of the 918 RSR include integrated tow hooks, quick-release fasteners for the front and rear bodywork, roof-mounted aerials for pit radio and telemetry, two-piece center-lock racing wheels coupled with slick rubber, and the array of graphics which are laid over the unique 'liquid metal chrome blue' paintwork.

The number 22 plastered all over the car pays homage to the 40th anniversary 1971 Le Mans race where drivers Dr. Helmut Marko and Gijs van Lennep were the first to cross the finishing line in their Porsche 917 short-tail coupé. The distance record set by their car - 3315.21 miles (5335.313 km) at an average speed of 138.13 (222.304 km/h) - remained unbroken for 39 years.


The interior of the Porsche 918 Spyder is an intriguing mix of high-end sports car, race car and science fiction.

The odd-looking piece of kit which sits where the passenger seat normally resides is the flywheel accumulator, quietly humming away at 36,000 rpm.

Next to that is the driver's seat, neatly upholstered in brown leather. The center console houses an array of race-style rocker switches and buttons. The minimalist steering wheel features an LED rev counter and shift light mounted along the top, behind the steering wheel are the paddles for operating the transmission.

There is a small gauge cluster directly behind the steering wheel, and to the right of that is a telemetry display which also shows the position of the car on the circuit.