Car of the Month – August, 2025
2015 Porsche 918 Spyder
2015 Porsche 918 Spyder
Engine – DOHC 32-valve 4.6-liter V8, 2 permanent-magnet AC synchronous electric motors
Horsepower – 887 hp combined
Transmission – 7-speed automatic with paddle shift
Curb weight – 3650-3750 lbs (depending on options)
0-60 time – 2.3 seconds
0-100 time – 4.9 seconds
¼ mile time – 9.8 seconds
Top speed – 217 mph
Fuel economy – European combined cycle: 71 mpg
Number built – 918
MSRP price – $847,975.00 – $931,975.00
Porsche first introduced the 918 Spyder at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 2013. The automotive press was excited as well as skeptical when Porsche announced its lofty goals of building a world-class hybrid sports car that could provide race-car acceleration, precision handling, and long-range fuel economy. In short, Porsche was letting the world know that it was going to “redefine” performance and combine it with an equal emphasis on environmental friendliness.
The plan was to build 918 cars during a 21-month period commencing the last quarter of 2013 and ending around the middle of 2015. The entire production run was sold out by December of 2014, with only 294 coming to the U.S
The 918 utilizes a 608 hp 4.6-liter direct fuel-injected V8 engine (based on the incredibly successful RS Spyder Lemans prototype race car) in combination with two electric motors (154 hp for the rear wheels and 125 hp for the front wheels). The car benefits from all-wheel drive traction, which is important when you have a cumulative 887 hp to put to the ground. Because the V8 has a 180-degree crankshaft, the car produces a snarling exhaust note unlike anything else on the road. The 918 can be operated in one of five modes; Electric, Hybrid, Hybrid Sport, Race and Hot Lap.
The Porsche 918 Spyder is the first production car ever to break the seven-minute barrier at Nürburgring. At the time, Porsche’s drivers said they were told to exercise caution and insisted they could have done better than the 6:57 they stamped into the record books.