Today Porsche unveiled the 918 hybrid at the Frankfurt Motor Show. I loved the way it looked when it was announced but I hated the fact that it was a hybrid and many others wanted to see a gas only model. After seeing a prototype demoing how the driver could choose to run only on the gas engine and quickly it could recharge its battery by driving I was very interested but the rumored 800k price tag kept me from liking it too much(not that I plan on buying anytime soon but you can get a lot of nice cars for 800k). The Specs from Porsche:

-887HP: 608 from the 4.6L V8, 154HP from an electric motor for the rear wheels, 127HP from the electric motor for the front wheels

-940lb-ft of torque (for the engine and motors)

-Sub 2.8 second 0-60 time

-Top speed of 211mph

-1/4 mile in 10.2 seconds

-85-94mpg(plug in hybrid figures are different)

-$845,000 price tag

Sure these numbers are great but there are cars that make greater numbers (except for mpg). 6:57 is the number that set the 918 apart for me. The Porsche 918 did a lap around the Nurburgring in 6:57 making it the fastest production car around the ring (The radical doesnt really count in most eyes). The next fastest car is 14 seconds slower. The 918 is 17s faster than the Lexus LFA Nürburgring Package, 22s faster than a ZR1, 31s faster than the Carrera GT and 27s faster than a Nissan GTR! Scrolling down the list of lap times just reveals more cars that are faster than I can even imagine but are still far slower than the hybrid 918 around a track. In 6 years Porsche made a car that is 31 seconds faster than its last super car Struggling to find an imperfection with this car but I doubt I will be as excited about the Mclaren P1 or LaFerrari. Im feeling like I did when I first took an interest in cars because of the Saleen S7 on the front and rear of my folder in 1st grade. First time in a while that Ive wanted a a car from the 21st century on my walls!

Heres a video of the record breaking lap. Average speed of 111mph


Check out those exhausts!

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71' 240Z: HLS3040666

The same technology was used in the new Porsche 997, which set that lap record with Sean Edwards driving:

http://youtu.be/aDkdg4VMdyE

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1970 240Z

Porsche also announced today that this car set a new production car record at the Ring with a sub-seven minute lap!

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Jim Arnett
Richardson, Texas
HLS30-15320 12/1970 (original owner)
ZCON 2015 Gold Cup - Street Modified class

I just watched the 918 record lap. That is one amazing car. It's incredible you can drive that on the street legally. I don't ever play the Lottery, but I bought Powerball tickets today. Just dreaming about it is fun.

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Rob
1971 240z

YO, remember your buddies if you win.

We were the ones who told you to play 4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42.

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1970 240Z

The new Mclaren P1 and Laferrari are supposed to be lighter and have more power, but there are other shortcomings compared to the Porsche. Heres link to a comparison of all 3 cars:

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71' 240Z: HLS3040666