NAIAS 2011: Porsche 918 RSR

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

How’s this for a way to kick off a car show? The Porsche 918 RSR looks tastier than the complimentary breakfast that preceded its launch this morning, all gullwings and gleaming sidepipes. Its direct-injected V8 makes 563 HP at a dizzying 10,300 RPM, and electric torque-vectoring motors on the front wheels add a combined 150 kW, for a total power output of 767 HP. Porsche says the interior is more “gentleman’s racer”-oriented than the 918 Concept… but what gentleman makes his consort sit atop the energy-storing flywheel that replaces the passenger seat? And don’t get us (specifically Jack Baruth) started on the copious 917 references in Porsche’s promotional literature. Still, this Porsche is hard not to like… right down to the giant orange “Hybrid” splashed across its rear wing.





Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

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  • Nick Nick on Jan 10, 2011

    'what gentleman makes his consort sit atop the energy-storing flywheel that replaces the passenger seat?' If you have enough money to buy this, your consort will be willing to sit anywhere.

  • Saponetta Saponetta on Jan 10, 2011

    Don't know why everyone is commenting on the flywheel. You are probaly 100,000x more likely to be injured or die exploring this or any other cars performance limits than some freak accident with an exploding flywheel on a PRODUCTION car.

  • Arthur Dailey The longest we have ever kept a car was 13 years for a Kia Rondo. Only ever had to perform routine 'wear and tear' maintenance. Brake jobs, tire replacements, fluids replacements (per mfg specs), battery replacement, etc. All in all it was an entirely positive ownership experience. The worst ownership experiences from oldest to newest were Ford, Chrysler and Hyundai.Neutral regarding GM, Honda, Nissan (two good, one not so good) and VW (3 good and 1 terrible). Experiences with other manufacturers were all too short to objectively comment on.
  • MaintenanceCosts Two-speed transfer case and lockable differentials are essential for getting over the curb in Beverly Hills to park on the sidewalk.
  • MaintenanceCosts I don't think any other OEM is dumb enough to market the system as "Full Self-Driving," and if it's presented as a competitor to SuperCruise or the like it's OK.
  • Oberkanone Tesla license their skateboard platforms to other manufacturers. Great. Better yet, Tesla manufacture and sell the platforms and auto manufacturers manufacture the body and interiors. Fantastic.
  • ToolGuy As of right now, Tesla is convinced that their old approach to FSD doesn't work, and that their new approach to FSD will work. I ain't saying I agree or disagree, just telling you where they are.
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