Porsche Says 918 Spyder will be Faster than Ferrari LaFerrari and McLaren P1

Despite having less power and being heavier that its archrivals the Ferrari LaFerrari and McLaren P1, Porsche believes the upcoming 918 Spyder will be the faster than both. At least that’s what Porsche’s product manager James Eastwood said in an interview with CAR magazine.

The question on everyone’s lips is whether Porsche will upgrade the 918’s engine and electric motors producing a combined 795-horses to match its rivals' outputs of more than 900bhp. The answer is a surprising no.

“We don’t need to,” Eastwood told the publication. “Although our car is heavier, its technology makes the car faster on the road and track. In rear-drive cars like our competitors, you still have to do all your braking in a straight line, compromising corner-entry speed. Thanks to the 918’s torque-vectoring and independently-driven front wheels, we can maintain better drive and achieve far higher entry and mid-corner speed.”

Eastwood added that the 918 Spyder will weigh 1,700 kilograms (3,748 pounds), with fuel and fluids on board. However, the lightweight Weissach package will cut 50 kg (110 pounds) of weight from the car. Speaking of the optional package, Eastwood said around 50 percent of customers have opted for it.

As for the number of 918 Spyders that are spoken for, Eastwood didn’t provide details, but said Porsche will have no problems selling the 918 units it will make. “We can’t confirm sales numbers, but even though we are producing far more cars than LaFerrari (499) and McLaren P1 (375) we’re not worried about selling 918 examples being a problem. Our last limited-edition supercar – the Carrera GT – sold 1,275 units,” said Eastwood.

Final performance specs are not yet ready, but the product manager said Porsche expects cars with finished aerodynamics and powertrains to improve on the current numbers. The 0-100 km/h sprint time is now under 3 seconds, with top speed rated at 203 mph (327 km/h).

By Dan Mihalascu On  carscoops.com

New Porsche 911 GT3

The new-generation 468bhp Porsche 911 GT3 has been unveiled on the eve of the Geneva Motor Show

Porsche has revealed its next-generation race car for the road: the latest 911 GT3.

But the mightiest of all the naturally aspirated 911s has a shock in store: it will only be available with a twin-clutch PDK gearbox – there’s no manual option.

Wolfgang Hatz, Porsche’s head of research and development, explained his decision to offer the GT3 only with the PDK gearbox: “Because it improves the performance – drive it for the first time and you’ll think it’s impossible to be this good. It’s the fastest transmission in the world.

“No final decision has been made whether the GT3 RS will be auto only too, but it’s a possibility,” Hatz added. “You have to think, is it worth doing all the development and testing if it’s only for 100 cars? We have limited resources.”

Power comes from a 468bhp, 3.8-litre flat-six engine, which rockets the GT3 from 0-62mph in 3.5 seconds and on to a 196mph top speed.

Clever tech includes rear-wheel steering that helps manoeuvrability at low speed and stability at high speed.

The car weighs 13 per cent less than the old model, at 1,430kg. This has been achieved with extensive use of aluminium and the fitting of a carbon fibre/fibreglass wing.

Prices will start at £100,540 with first deliveries in November.