I'm interested to see that Porsche and Ferrari both unveiled concept/prototype electric hybrid sports cars at the Geneva Motor Show.
Porsche's new model is the 918 Spyder.
It has a 3.4 liter V8 engine producing over 500 horsepower, and separate electric motors on the front and rear axles with a combined output of over 218 horsepower. Both engine power and braking energy are harnessed to recharge a liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery, which can also be plugged into an electrical outlet to charge directly. Porsche claims acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 3.2 seconds, a top speed of 317 km/h (198 mph), and fuel consumption equivalent to an extraordinary 94 miles per gallon.
Ferrari's entry in the 'green sports car' stakes is a concept hybrid version of its model 599.
Painted metallic green (to emphasize its environmental friendliness) rather than traditional Ferrari red, the prototype has a 6.0 liter V12 engine and a 100 horsepower electric motor. Its claimed top speed is 320 km/h (200 mph), but its fuel economy is nowhere near what Porsche claims; Ferrari states that it'll get only 20-25 mpg (although that's apparently a third better than a conventional Ferrari of equivalent performance.)
Clearly, Porsche has gone all-out for the benefits of economy, whilst retaining high performance. Ferrari, on the other hand, seems to have emphasized performance, and tacked on some 'green' credentials as a sop to the environmental lobby. I think Porsche wins the first round in the 'enviro-sports-car' stakes.
Peter
2 comments:
The Porche 918 Spyder -- looks as if it's either going to fire missles at anyone in it's way - OR - launch into space. Either way, it looks like fast fun.
B Woodman
...And here we see the death of purist engineering in favour of trendiness in a sleek package.
What happened to, if you can't find a place to save a pound, find sixteen places to save an ounce?
I think I'll go see if I can find a balsa-wood shift knob like the 917s had. :(
Jim
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