Chris Harris was among a number of journalists invited to Porsche’s Leipzig track to drive the Porsche 918. Chris was only allowed 3 laps in the 918, but the video covers the best points of the technical presentation from the visit and provides tons and tons of details in a succinct and compact fashion. Enjoy!
A Few Things To Point Out
Chris makes some good points, interesting comments – none really undeserved (GT3 RS 4.0 with Mr. Röhrl, 918 units, amount of laps, etc.)
However, while we’re afraid the “take the electronics out of it” argument is only getting started, we find the hypocrisy of comparing it to the other upcoming “super-hybrid” cars on one hand, while saying how good it could be if it wasn’t a hybrid on the other, um, interesting. Especially since the others haven’t been available for rides or drives as far as we know.
In a way you can say the Ferrari has already been done by Porsche – the 918 RSR.
We don’t think it’s unfair to ask what would it be without the batteries/electronics, but we also think it’s missing the point of the car. It’s the same “why don’t they put a 4.0 RS engine in a Cayman and it’ll be faster than a 911” argument.
The 959 nor the Carrera GT were the absolute fastest of their time, but they have stood the test of time because of their overall package. We’re not defending the 918 as it sits now (no one has asked us to drive it, yet), but we think some of Chris’ and others commentary is a bit short sighted.
We wonder if this video could help or hurt sales? Ultimately, it’s to be determined. This is one video from one journalist on a developmental drive. Buyers at this level are most likely taking a wait and see attitude to the finished car.
Other Porsche Blog Posts You Will Enjoy!
Despite Rumors to the Contrary, Pricing for the Porsche 918 Spyder Remains Unchanged
Porsche 918 Gets Historic Martini Racing Livery as Option
Behind the Scenes with the Porsche 918 Spyder at the Nürburgring
Walter Röhrl Compares the Porsche 918 Spyder to the Carrera GT [Video]
View Comments (7)
One can almost hear the comments from 1986 – who needs heavy twin turbos, electronic nannies like Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems or AWD on the 959? Just give me a street 935 with a muffler and roll up windows!
Turbos have finally become reliable enough to become ubiquitous; they are key in the small engine movement and a viable solution for ICS. Batteries are kind of where turbos were in the 80s. It will be interesting to see if battery solutions can ever become as widespread a technology, given their overwhelming need for rare earth metals.
Applying the keep-it-simple rule, there is no shame in asking for more simplicity (55 control units), as well as requesting to add lightness by eliminating heavy power systems. I guess one could say that 918 customers will test out technologies that will one day trickle down to other, more affordable Porsches. And hopefully we all will appreciate this grand experiment as much as we have appreciated the 959.
Good Morning,
Two things. First I wanted to thank you for the Porsche room key. It is now attached to my camera bag.
Second, I think Chris's video gives a good look behind the scenes of what a long task it is to develop a car, let alone a sophisticated and complex car as the 918. Often regular car people think new vehicles go from the drawing board, to some testing, to production. That is not the case these days, as technology in all cars advances. The 918, combining so many different elements, makes it quite challenging, a challenge I think the folks at Porsche love to tackle. If one lusts for exotic cars, and especially Porsche, they will not be turned off by Chris's video. It should, if anything, impress one over the amount of detail that is going in to the 918's pre-production before being let loose to the public, however limited those buyers may be.
Hey, Jim,
Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts, you make a very good point about the video showing how much refinement and work goes into event the smallest detail of a new Porsche model. Glad the card made it your way!
I have seen the LaFerrari videos on youtube and Porsche should be worried. However, I believe the Ferrari will cost more and Porsche, in my mind, set the benchmark with the 918 and everyone else is struggling to surpass it. Personally, I love the 918. It is beautiful.
Porsche should alway remember that these cars are about winning and that means in every class. We buy these cars for that reason and none of us want to talk about how Ferrari was first and Porsche was second or third. We don't want to hear about podium finishes from Mercedes and others. We want our Porsches to dominate the endurance races. We want to be proud of our decision to spend money on the Porsche Badge.
Don't forget what this is about.
Hi, James,
Thanks for commenting. However, I'm not sure what you're referencing with regard to your comment. Did you, perhaps, mean to post this somewhere else?