The Porsche 918 is one of the most exciting and widely covered cars of the last 30 years. On its release, it cost nearly $1 million and prices today are nearly double the original MSRP. This, the LaFerrari, and McLaren P1 were major steps forward in terms of supercar technology. We can go as far as saying they were the first revelations we had seen in a long time. The powerful engines paired with the instant torque of electric models made these vehicles both relatively light and insanely fast. It's been almost a decade since the 918 was unveiled, so here are 10 fun facts you need to know about it.
10 The 918 Is Porsche's True-Blue Halo Car
Porsche has made plenty of supercar fast cars. The best that come to mind are the 911 Turbo and 911 GT lineup; however, none of these are designed to look and perform like one. The 911 Turbo and GT vehicles are just faster versions of the 911 model. While there is nothing wrong with that, they lacked the innovations of previous Porsche supercars such as the 959 or Carrera GT. The 918, however, didn’t. It featured all the technology the brand could possibly cram into a road vehicle during that specific period leading to an unforgettable machine that will forever be remembered. Supercar may not be the right word here. 'Halo car' works better.
9 One Of The First Supercars To Pair Gasoline Engine With Electric Motors
The 918 wasn't the most powerful of the three (McLaren P1 and LaFerrari), but it was no slouch either. Right behind your ears, you get a screaming V-8 with over 600 horsepower while two electric motors (one at each end of the vehicle) gave a further boost of almost 300 horsepower. The combined total is 887 horsepower. So, what was the 0-60 time? Well, a mind-boggling fast 2.4 seconds. This insane number was partly due to the power but also the all-wheel drive system as the motors power both axles. This was, and still is, one of the fastest vehicles on the planet.
8 It Can Be Driven As A Pure EV
When you are just plodding around town or if you happen to pull out of your garage early in the morning, you can keep your Porsche 918 in full polar bear-friendly mode. Meaning, that the internal combustion engine can stay asleep while the car is driven on pure electricity. Yes, one of the fastest Porsches ever made with two huge exhausts sticking out of it can be driven in pure EV mode. However, there is a caveat. Since Porsche wanted to keep the 918 as lightweight as possible, its battery is small. Therefore, the poor polar bears will only be happy for 12 miles. Shame.
7 The 918 Has A Hot-lap Mode
The Porsche 918, just like most supercars, has a dial on the steering wheel that lets you alter driving modes. Your options are electric, hybrid, sport, and race. However, the fun doesn’t stop here. In the middle of that dial, you will find a red button that says nothing on it. No, it doesn’t eject the driver’s seat (sadly); however, it does make the car faster. It is called the hot lap button and it enables the 918 to use a little extra juice from the electric motors, but only for a limited period of time. This is great for one single hot lap or if you manage to get yourself in a drag race.
6 It Does The Quarter Mile In 9.8 Seconds
If you are into quarter mile times, you will be aware that a time of 9.8 seconds is fast. However, it is even more impressive when it comes from a stock vehicle you can go out and buy. The 918 is insanely fast and all that power and technology leads to a quarter-mile time that will put to shame many full-on drag-racing vehicles. That’s right, vehicles that have been extensively modified to just run quarter miles cannot keep up with a stock vehicle that can also demolish corners while also being able to cruise around in full EV mode.
5 It Has the Same Key Fob As A Base Model Cayenne
You would think that a car this expensive and exotic would be completely unique. However, one of the first things you touch before getting in a vehicle (the key) is the exact same unit found on all Porsches. Even on the Base model Cayenne which then sold for roughly $50,000! To keep the side profile of the 918 looking sleek, Porsche has hidden the door handles on the side of the 918’s doors. In there, you will also find a keyhole that will accept the little key hidden in the key fob that is there in case the car runs out of battery. This is the exact same system most cars with keyless entry use.
4 You Can’t Pop The Hood
How sad, a friend comes over and says, “pop the hood of the 918” and you say, “let’s go for a trip to the dealer.” No one wants to say that, but with the 918, you must say so as there is no way one can pop the hood at home. This is perhaps to stop people messing around in the engine bay, but it is also pretty annoying as a car like this is all about the engine. You need to be able to see it and display it. Locking it away is like presenting someone with a cake only to say you can’t eat it.
3 It Has Two Fuel Doors
You would be surprised to know that the 918 Spyder has two fuel doors. As you might have guessed, one is for charging and the other for fuel. To open the charging port you simply grab it and open it up. Once it is open, you will see it is made out of carbon fiber. However, opening the fuel door is a little more involved. To stop people from siphoning all your 918’s precious fuel, the fuel cap is locked. To unlock it, you simply press a button on the driver’s door which pops the little fuel door out.
2 The 918 Has Different Colors On Its Wheel Center Locks
The 918 has center locks that can be changed quicker on a racetrack (and also look cooler). This is something many supercars have nowadays; however, what other supercars don’t have are different colors on each center cap. As a throwback to the Carrera GT and other racecars, the 918 has red center locks on the driver’s side and blue ones on the passenger side. When racing, the different colored center caps are used to let mechanics know which side of the vehicle the wheel has been removed from. Not that any Porsche 918 will ever compete on a racetrack, but it is cool to have this quirk anyway.
1 It Is Surprisingly Comfortable
Getting into the 918 is a bit difficult; however, once you are in, you will be surprised to know that it is relatively comfortable. You get A/C and the seats are surprisingly good. Yet again, Porsche is famous for its seats, so this is no surprise. The ride is harsh, and there are some weird vibrations, but stop for a second and consider this. The 918 is an 887-horsepower monster that can put to shame full-on race cars, and you are sitting there cruising along with the A/C on like in every other normal car. Supercars are wild these days.