Porsche 918 Spyder sets 7m 14s Nordschleife lap...

(19 September 2012)

The new Porsche 918 Spyder has set an official lap time of 7min 14sec around the Nürburgring Nordschleife, following a series of official tests with prototypes of the advanced new petrol-electric hybrid supercar at the famed German circuit this week.

Although Porsche won't confirm who was driving the early version of the 918 Spyder at the time, it does say the best lap was achieved with a prototype boasting what it describes as an optional 'Weissach package' and on standard Michelin road tyres.
 
Porsche is similarly tight-lipped on what the Weissach package includes, although it is rumoured that the go-faster kit comprises items such as upgraded brakes, six-point harnesses and a focus on saving weight wherever possible. The stereo and aircon system is believed to have been removed to save weight.
 
“With a time of 7m 14s the 918 Spyder has confirmed the potential of its future-orientated driveline concept after just a few months of testing,” said Frank Walliser, head of the 918 Spyder development.
 
The official lap time for the 918 Spyder is among the fastest for a road legal car at the Nürburgring northern circuit, undercutting the fastest time of its predecessor, the Carrera GT, achieved back in 2004 by some 18sec.
 
As well as confirming the 918 Spyder’s testing pace at the Nürburgring, Porsche has also revealed its hybrid driveline boasts an official 784bhp.
 
Powering the new two seater is a mid-mounted 4.6-litre V8 petrol engine loosely based on that used by the Porsche RS Spyder race car and a pair of electric motors mounted within the front axle assembly.
 
 
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