70 Years Porsche in Australia: Maximum power in the Australian Outback
Silent at 60 km/h to roaring V-Max in 40 seconds: Porsche’s intelligent hybrid supercar, the 918 Spyder, completed a remarkable feat in the Australian Outback in 2015.
The transition from cruising silently at city speeds of 60 km/h to roaring race car for the road reaching a top speed of 350 km/h took just 40 seconds, completing an achievement no other production car has ever managed on Australian roads.
The controlled test took place with a professional driver at the wheel on the only public road in Australia where such a feat is possible – the Northern Territory’s section of straight, open speed highway. The use of radios and spotters ensured the road was completely devoid of traffic at the time.
Porsche Intelligent Performance enabled the 918 Spyder to perform at both ends of the driving spectrum, showcasing leading edge hybrid technology that would eventually transfer into Porsche road cars of today.
As demonstrated in Alice Springs, in full-electric ‘E-Power‘ mode the 918 Spyder can drive for up to 30 kilometres at speeds up to 150 km/h through twin electric motors developing maximum power of 210 kW at 6,500 rpm.
In ‘Race Hybrid‘ mode the electric motors work in conjunction with the racing-inspired 4.6-litre V8 petrol engine (447 kW at 8,700 rpm) to deliver maximum total power output of 652 kW at 8,500 rpm.
This particular model was flown out from Porsche HQ in Germany on loan to Porsche Cars Australia for a roadshow in Porsche Centre showrooms across the eastern seaboard as part of a ‘Porsche E-Mobility‘ tour.
Not only was it also on display at the 2015 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, but Porsche Brand Ambassador Mark Webber lapped the famed track in the 918 Spyder for the first time since he retired from Formula One, before media had the chance to test the hybrid supercar from Porsche on the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit.
Visit porsche.com/australia/70years for more information regarding 70 Years of Porsche in Australia, as well as following @PorscheAus on social media.
Silent at 60 km/h to roaring V-Max in 40 seconds: Porsche’s intelligent hybrid supercar, the 918 Spyder, completed a remarkable feat in the Australian Outback on the one stretch of road north of Alice Springs.
