Photo : - Porsche AG

The Porsche 918 Spyder turned a 7m14s at the Nürburgring ... A promising performance less than 2 years before the anticipated return of Porsche to the premier prototype class in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

One year before the launch of the production model, the prototype of the Porsche 918 Spyder is already proving its great potential on the 20.6 km Nordschleife. According to the statement of the manufacturer, the dynamic behavior of the car far surpasses the expectations: "With this extraordinary lap, the 918 Spyder prototype has confirmed its potential after only a few months of road testing" commented Frank Walliser, the project manager.

The lap of 7m14s is indeed one of the best ever recorded for a vehicle fitted with standard road tyres fitted (Michelin). Additionally, the Weissach Development team stated that it was a single standing start lap.

This result obviously bodes well for the future of the road car, but also for the future of Porsche LM P1 car that is likely adopt some of the technical solutions of the 918 Spyder hybrid engine which develops a whopping 795 horsepower.

Julien Hergault

Photos : NÜRBURGRING (GERMANY), PORSCHE PRIVATE TEST, 19th SEPT 2012. Porsche 918 Spyder.