Prototype takes on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife

Porsche follows suit, sending their 918 Spyder Prototype around the Nürburgring-Nordschleife.

As most super car manufacturers are prone to do, Porsche has sent their latest supercar, the 918 Spyder prototype, around the “Nürburgring-Nordschleife”.

Yes, yes, yes…as enthusiasts, we lap this stuff up. The Nürburgring is considered the ultimate test. Its ribbon of 20.6 kilometers (12.8 miles) of asphalt and concrete test the handling and top speed of any performance car worth its salt. Porsche is no different in wanting to discover what their latest creation is capable of doing.

But manufacturers realize coming to this track ticks off another requirement prior to the release of a new model…marketing. Most cars appearing at the Nürburgring get some kind of attention in the motoring press, particularly when said car is considered exotic and packing ridiculous performance.

Starting from a standstill, the 795 horsepower Spyder one-lap time was 7 minutes, 14 seconds. The prototype was wearing standard production tires from Michelin and the optional “Weissach” package, which “integrates modifications that boost driving performance.” Apparently Porsche’s development team only had access to the ‘Ring for one lap. But I’m sure there will be many more as the car is tuned prior to its release a year from now.

918 Spyder prototype turns in lap time of seven minutes and 14 seconds
Successful test drive on the “Nürburgring-Nordschleife”

Stuttgart. On September 18th, in test drives on the “Successful test drive on the “Nürburgring-Nordschleife””, a Porsche 918 Spyder prototype turned in a remarkable best time of just 07:14 minutes for the 20.6 km long circuit. One year before its production launch, the plug-in hybrid super sports car from Porsche AG is already proving its superlative dynamic performance potential  far surpassing all expectations placed in it. Dr. Frank Walliser, overall project leader for the 918 Spyder: “By turning in a fabulous time of 07:14 minutes, the 918 Spyder prototype has already fully confirmed the viability of its future concept after just a few months on the road.”

The lap time of the Porsche 918 Spyder prototype is one of the best ever clocked for street-legal vehicles with standard production tyres. The course was only available to the development team from Weissach for one lap, and it had to be started from a standstill. The plug-in hybrid super sports car with over 795 hp was equipped with production tyres from development partner Michelin as well as the optional “Weissach” package, which integrates modifications that boost driving performance.