A firm strength of Porsche’s fine motorsport history is its brilliance of engineering and design. With a portfolio of revolutionary and successful design classics at their disposal, the pressure on their talented designers and engineers to continue the legacy must be immense. From limited run supercars portraying cutting edge technology to the always reliable and ever present 911, Porsche have an illustrious history to which they continue to add motoring greats to. Just as they did with the 959 in the mid to late 1980’s, Porsche have decided to show off their expertise of new technology and design ingenuity with their latest creation; the stunning 918. 
Created to challenge the perceptions of what a supercar is and the way it is powered, the German manufacturer has taken on two of the biggest names in motorsport with the 918, the passionate Italians at Ferrari and the precise mathematicians of McLaren. All 3 companies have used the latest in electric motors and hybrid technology but in very different ways, yet all to ensure the cars are as quick as the laws of physics allow. Porsche have one of the longest and most decorated histories in motor sport, with many of their road cars using technology and expertise born on the track to make their supercars the very best they can be. They also have a reputation for build quality that is second to none and when you buy a Porsche, you know that unlike many exotic cars it is built to last.
Before getting in to depth with technical details, let’s focus instead on the way the car looks. The early prototype releases of the 918 promised a desirable mix of traditional Porsche heritage fused with cutting edge features and styling cues to make the car a stunning package. As is the way with most motor show one offs, the polycarbonate plastic wheels were never destined to make it to production, however at least the design of the futuristic wheels remained, if in an only slightly less exotic mix of magnesium, carbon and rare metal alloys. Thankfully, the jaw dropping sleek looks and detachable roof did remain, the latter providing a hint of practicality and top down motoring option for free with your supercar package (something unheard of with Porsche and their ability to charge more money for less car; see 911 GT3, GT3 RS, GT2 etc.). Not that they’ve lost the ability to do that with this car. For those who feel their 918 isn’t quite extreme enough Porsche will sell you a ‘Weissach Pack’ at a 10% premium, saving weight by removing parts from your car and charging you more for the privilege. Although rather handily the kit lets you choose some of the parts you need and what you can do without in order to save the weight. 
The styling, although very exotic and brimming with the latest design capability, is clear to see as an evolution of the Carrera GT, especially the front and rear profiles. However, this car is definitely all new and makes the previous GT look like it was not only styled in the 90’s but also borrowed some of the decades technology in comparison. Styling flair and neat touches are abundant, yet there is a sense that a lot of the design input was suggested via the wind tunnel or racetrack’s influence rather than a case of style for styles sake. Details such as the exhaust location, moved from the side of the car in the prototype to above the engine for production, may look like it was done to be outlandish and add a bit of flair, but the Porsche engineers say it has no fewer than four reasons for the apparent craziness. As well as simple weight saving, aerodynamic improvements and reduced back pressure, the engineers also found it would dissipate heat a lot better, something essential for a car with electric motors, batteries and a racing exhaust that can reach up to 850 degrees when you’re getting a move on. 
Clever engineering aside, the beauty of the 918 shows Porsche at its design best. Just enough of the retro touches and hints to Porsche’s illustrious design classics that will please fans of the manufacturer, hints of the 906, RS Spyder, 917, 935 to name a few, but with futuristic styling pointing to forthcoming design directions and possibilities with the new age materials on offer. There is a definite sense that the designers are pushing the envelope to ensure that their latest car is not only the ultimate driver’s car, but seemingly defies the laws of physics and possibilities when thrown around a racetrack. No vent, spoiler or duct included for styles sake and every curve carefully placed to ensure that aerodynamic wizardry does everything it can to glue the car to the road. The exotic styling is sure to turn heads where ever you are lucky to take your Porsche, be it Casino Square in Monaco, Sheik Zayed Road in Dubai or popping down to your local Waitrose for some caviar for your pet poodle, the supercar is a definite thing of beauty. Even Porsche’s own attempts to ruin it with some hideous optional graphics; a bizarre mix of a racing numbers on each door and abstract flames appearing from the wheel arch and around the headlights, aren’t enough to deter the appeal of the flagship car from Stuttgart. 
In terms of appearance it sits in the middle of the holy grail of current hybrid hypercars, looking far more exotic than the safer styling of the sometimes criticised McLaren P1 yet nowhere near as outlandish as the crazy Ferrari LaFerrari offering. That said it is very likely to appeal to not only lovers of a slightly more conservative way to show the world you have deep pockets, but also to those who’s pockets aren’t as quite as deep as people may think. At £704,000 including the optional Weissach Pack, the 918 is far from cheap, but compared to the £866,000 P1 and £1.15million LaFerrari it does seem like a bit of a bargain. Also with 918 examples of the car being made, more than double the others, you’re more likely to be able to prize one away from a current owner to be able to buy one in the first place.
HYPE Automotive 