Performance Review: Porsche 918 Spyder 4.6 V8 - [2013]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Porsche 918 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Porsche 918 Spyder 4.6 V8 is the 7 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2013. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2014 Tesla Model S P100D Ludicrous Performance and the 2014 Koenigsegg One 1 5.1 V8 Twin Turbo.This particular Porsche 918 has a 4593cc Naturally Aspirated Hybrid powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Hybrid V8's includes the 2013 McLaren P1 3.8 V8 Hybrid

The 918 shares its Hybrid V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2013 McLaren P1 3.8 V8 Hybrid and the If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 918's Rear Wheel Drive, Cabriolet combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1640 kgs (3615 lbs) this makes the Porsche 918 Spyder 4.6 V8 in the same weight category as the 2022 BMW Z4 M40i 3.0 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Porsche 918 shares the same bhp with the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 (616 bhp)

In terms of power the 4593cc 32V V8 engine produces 600 bhp (447 kW) @ 8600 rpm similar to the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 (616 bhp) or the 2023 Ferrari Roma Spider 3.9 V8 Turbo (611 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 391 lb-ft (530.1 Nm) @ 6600 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (369 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (369 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Porsche 918 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2015 Lamborghini Huracan 610-4 Spyder (390.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Porsche 918.

The Porsche 918 has a Power to weight ratio of 365.8 bhp per ton and 238.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2013 918 competing with the 2015 Lamborghini Huracan 610-4 Spyder (390.4 bhp per ton) or the 2023 Aston-Martin DBS 770 Ultimate Volante 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo (390.2 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Porsche 918 generating around 238.4 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1993 Lamborghini Diablo VT 5.7 V12 (263.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 2009 Bentley Continental SuperSports 6.0 W12 (263.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 2.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 2.9 secs, this made the Porsche 918 Spyder 4.6 V8 as fast as the 2022 Mercedes AMG One 1.6 V6 Turbo Hybrid (2.80 secs) the 2022 Ferrari 296 GTS 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo Hybrid (2.80 secs) the 2022 Ferrari 296 GTS Assetto 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo Hybrid (2.80 secs) the or the 2021 Ferrari 296 GTB Assetto 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo Hybrid (2.80 secs). This Porsche 918 Spyder 4.6 V8 is also faster than the 2022 Lotus Eletre R 905 bhp (2.90 secs) the 2021 BMW 5 Series M5 CS 4.4 V8 Turbo F90 (2.90 secs) the 2021 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 6.2 V8 C8 (2.90 secs) the and the 2021 Maserati MC20 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo (2.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 918 and the 1998 Maserati 3200 GT FH 3.2 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Porsche 918 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 11.54 secs @ 118.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1998 Maserati 3200 GT FH 3.2 Turbo (11.50 secs), the 2009 Mercedes S Class 63 L AMG (11.50 secs), and the 2000 Subaru Impreza P1 - Classic (11.52 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2013 version of the Porsche 918 Spyder 4.6 V8 has a maximum speed of 211mph.

Top Speed of the 2013 918 equals the 2005 Gumpert Apollo 4.2L V8 Twin Turbo (223 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2013 Porsche 918 Spyder 4.6 V8 then how about the 2005 Gumpert Apollo 4.2L V8 Twin Turbo (223 mph), the 2009 Gumpert Apollo S 4.2 V8 Twin Turbo (224 mph), or the 2009 Noble M600 4.4L V8 (225 mph).

Related Links:

2013 918 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Porsche

Car Comparison