9 Reasons The Porsche 918 Spyder Is Still At The Top Of Its Segment

A cutting-edge 9000-rpm V8 hybrid drivetrain is just one of the reasons why the Porsche 918 stands head and shoulders above its competition.

Porsche is known for quietly under-promising and over-delivering spectacularly. This is a surefire way to have satisfied customers. The 918 Spyder is a car with a hybrid carbon fiber construction, a petrol-electric powertrain, and a suspension donated by a racing car.



With the legendary Carrera GT as its direct predecessor, it’s no wonder the Porsche 918 Spyder turned out as amazing as it did. In fact, the model was far ahead of its time, trumping virtually all supercars it competed with when it launched in 2013. Here’s why.

9 Spyder Design

The 918’s Spyder design makes it incredibly unique on its own. The model features a removable roof for the best open-air cruising experience. You can store these removable panels upfront easily and enjoy the gorgeous silhouette of the 918 Spyder. The Spyder feature is something unique in this class.

Compared to its competition, the 918 provides you with a better open-air experience. You can’t get this experience in the McLaren P1. On the Ferrari front, your only option is to buy the LaFerrari Aperta, a more expensive version of the LaFerrari.

8 Electric Power

Porsche 918 Spyder features a pure electric mode with a simple on and off switch for E-mode. The battery offers around 18 miles of range even with your audio blasting and the air conditioner running. Electric cruising enables you to transform this screaming athlete into a silent seductress.

In the electric mode, the Spyder will hit 62 mph in 7 seconds and a top speed of 93 mph. Driving to the limit will take a large chunk out of the 18-mile range. If the battery gets low, the 918 switches to Hybrid mode that brings the engine to life.

7 Reliability

Most high-profile supercars suffer from embarrassing quality issues. However, Porsche engineers know that you need to enjoy your car by ensuring that it’s never at the shop for repairs. The 918 is a dependable investment that you can enjoy driving daily.

The car aims at putting your mind at ease. Besides, Porsche uses its Carrera GT experience to provide drivers with a reliable and usable. Porsche mates both electric and engine power to ensure that each driver enjoys the powertrain.

6 Stunning Trim Options

The two-door 918 Spyder has a 4.6-liter V8 engine that produces 608 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque on its own. However, this isn’t the end of the 918 Spyder’s stellar power. The engine is coupled with two electric motors. The front motor produces 129 hp while the back motor produces 156 hp.

These motors are powered by a 6.8 kWh battery and they help the supercar produce 944 lb-ft of torque and 887 hp. that’s enough power for a 2.5 second 0 to 60 mph. in the cabin, you get to enjoy a driver-focused design with steering wheel-mounted drive select knobs, soft leather surfacing, and carbon fiber seats.

5 Drivability

The 918 Spyder features a flexible powertrain with five different driving modes. E-power is the default mode as long as the battery has a healthy charge. The electric side of the 918 can offer about 18 miles of total silence.



Having different driving modes adds to the weight of the supercar, but it has ample traction and a strong chassis that helps hide the weight. The car also features a super-fast-changing PDK gearbox mated to the racing-esque engine. Both of these features make it feel like a proper racing car.

4 Comfort

The 918 has a wonderful cabin with a removable roof. This makes the cabin both a comfortable and an exciting place to spend your time. More so, the two-person cockpit comes decked with plenty of luxury features with real-world expediency.

The interior features conveniences like cruise control, a trip computer, power, and heated exterior mirrors, full leather trim, dual-zone AC control, and power windows with one-touch operation. The 918 also features optional racing seats and a 440-watt battery charger for greater performance and comfort.

3 Weissach Package

The Weissach package helps improve the feel and look of your 918 Spyder by reducing the weight to about 3,615 pounds. The package features additional carbon fiber components and magnesium wheels to give the supercar a sharper edge.

Weissach package drivers can choose from an exclusive range of film coatings and exterior colors reminiscent of the classic Porsche cars. The options in this package cost around $84,000. With the package, you also get to enjoy Alcantara upholstery and noise-reducing materials.

2 All Wheel Drive

The Porsche 918 Spyder offers five hybrid drive modes. Drivers can alternate between front, rear, and all-wheel drive. This guarantees a customized ride using the carbon-ceramic brakes, adaptive suspension, multifunctional 7-speed PDK transmission, and electromechanical steering.

The different drive modes include the Hot Lap, Race Hybrid, Sport Hybrid, E-Power, and Hybrid. These modes help determine the direction and amount of the gas-electric power flow. Therefore, you can test out the limits of the Spyder be it on the canyons or the dragstrip.

1 Availability

Porsche made only 918 examples of the Spyder. That’s more than the 375 units of the McLaren P1 and the 499 units of the LaFerrari. Having a higher number meant that more people would get to enjoy the car while making it rare.



The 918 Spyder provides you with better drivability compared to its competition. It’s the fastest in the category and provides drivers with multiple specs and driving options. Although it seems like the most underrated of the trio, the 918 is the most impressive in terms of performance, comfort, and reliability.

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