Following hot on the heels of Porsche’s confirmation of its all-electric Boxster trials is the news that their spectacular hybrid the 918 Spyder will be developed in limited numbers for road use.

The mid-engined plug-in hybrid has CO2 emissions of just 70g/km with a corresponding fuel consumption of a staggering 94.1mpg.

The 918 Spyder concept was originally seen at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year and due to the enthusiastic response that the car received, the Board at Porsche has now decided to develop a production road version, albeit in limited numbers.

Michael Macht, President and Chairman of the Board of Management of Porsche AG, said; “Production of the 918 Spyder in a limited series proves that we are taking the right approach with Porsche Intelligent Performance featuring the combination of supreme performance and efficient drivetrain concepts. We will develop the 918 Spyder in Weissach and assemble it in Zuffenhausen. This is also a very important commitment to Germany as a manufacturing base.”

What we know about the 918 Spyder concept is that open topped two seater features a 3.4 litre V8 engine along with electric motors positioned on both the front and rear axles. With power transmitted by a seven-speed PDK double clutch transmission the car can run purely in E-Drive (solely using the electric motors) for up to 16 miles, yet has the kind of supercar performance expected from Porsche.

In the Hybrid mode, the 918 Spyder uses both the electric motors and the combustion engine as a function of driving conditions and requirements, offering a range from particularly fuel-efficient all the way to extra-powerful.

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Porsche is to trial an all-electric version of its performance Boxster roadster model.

Not a name you will regularly hear on TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk, Porsche is nonetheless making the green car headlines today as it releases details of its research into electric transportation. According to the luxury car brand, electric drive will take on an increasingly important role in the further developments of its range over the coming years.

The carmaker, famed for its sports and performance-focused models, is already expanding its use of hybrid technology, with a new Panamera S Hybrid due to go on sale next year, joining the Cayenne hybrid, which was released back in June. Meanwhile the carmaker is also developing a 911 GT3 R Hybrid race car and 918 Spyder plug-in hybrid concept.

A test process on an all-electric Boxster will start in early 2011 and is being run as part of the Modellregion Elektromobilität programme in Stuttgart. Three electric Boxsters will provide an important preliminary insight to new electric drive components and battery systems and will also provide further findings on the infrastructure required for electro-mobility, user behaviour and the demands made of future products.

Michael Macht, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Porsche AG, sees this contribution made by Porsche as absolutely essential:“We will definitely be offering an electric sports car in future. But such a concept only makes sense if it offers performance and a cruising range comparable to that of a sports car today.”

According to Macht, Porsche has been committed to electric mobility for a long time. The concept study of the 918 Spyder sports car with plug-in hybrid combines high-tech breakthroughs in engine technology with electro-mobility. Emissions levels stand at a tiny 70 g/km CO₂ with three litres fuel consumption for every 100 kilometres (equal to 94.1 mpg). This amazingly sparse fuel consumptions is teamed with super sportscar level performance, developing well over  600 horsepower.

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This year’s American Le Mans Series Petit Le Mans event will play host to the North American debut of the Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid race car.

The hybrid, which is equipped with a flywheel energy recovery system, will debut at the event on October 2 at Road Atlanta after making its European debut at Germany’s Nurburgring race circuit in May where it led for several hours before a combustion engine issue forced it to retire.

It will race with unclassified status at Petit Le Mans because the sanctioning body for Le Mans racing, ACO, has not yet created rules for hybrid technology in production-based cars.

However, there will be five different types of alternative energy sources raced at the event including: clean diesel, E10, cellulosic E85, isobutanol and electric hybrid.

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A press advert for one of Porsche’s hybrid models has been found to be ‘misleading’ as it was ruled to suggest that Cayenne S Hybrid model can operate without the use of its combustion engine for an unlimited time.

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruled against the German carmaker after a press advert which stated “More performance, less fuel … The new Cayenne S Hybrid can even travel to a speed of 37mph without using its V6 petrol engine” was ruled to imply that the car could travel at this speed for any distance without engaging its petrol engine.

The carmaker explained that the Cayenne S Hybrid could travel for short distances without using its engine at this speed. Furthermore, it said that the distance it could cover without the engine was determined by external conditions and individual driver behaviour making it impossible for them to specify a particular distance.

Nonetheless the authority ruled that the carmaker should have made it clear that the car could only travel for a limited distance on battery power alone and in the absence of that clarification, it was likely to mislead.

The authority has instructed Porsche that the ad should not appear again in its current form as it breaches CAP Code clauses 7.1 and 7.2 (Truthfulness).

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Porsche has some serious pedigree at the famous Nürburgring 24 Hours race, which pits teams against the feared corners of the legendary track over an energy sapping 24 hour period. And this year the German manufacturer took the opportunity to field a hybrid version of its 911 GT3 R (see earlier article on the Porsche 911 GT3 R) in the gruelling German marathon motor race. In fact the hybrid-powered sports car was leading for over 8 hours before disaster struck and the car had to leave the race following a loss of power.

Before the cars premature conclusion to the race, the innovative car from the Porsche Research and Development department in Weissach, Germany, clearly proved that the hybrid technology developed by Porsche is very competitive in racing and also offers considerably lower fuel consumption.

After 22 hours and 15 minutes, the leading orange and white-liveried 911 GT3 R Hybrid retired with a problem affecting its combustion engine at the Metzgesfeld stretch of the Nordschleife.

“I heard a loud noise at the rear of the car and suddenly the power went,” said Porsche works driver Joerg Bergmeister (Germany) describing the abrupt end of all hopes for victory. Despite a disappointing race, Chairman of the Board at Porsche AG, Michael Macht, who visited the race on Sunday, came to a positive conclusion: “It wasn’t enough for a win, but the Porsche hybrid technology clearly proved its potential at one of the world’s toughest races. We will continue developing this innovative drive concept. That was certainly not the last race for a Porsche hybrid car.”

Wolfgang Dürheimer, Board Member for Research and Development at Porsche AG, gives an outlook to the future: “The 911 GT3 R Hybrid has proven that highest performance and unique efficiency don’t exclude each other. The vehicle shows the technological path to racing in the future.”

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Ferrari, Lotus or Porsche: close your eyes and picture a vehicle from any of those world-famous manufacturers and you’re likely to envision a dream car with sleek lines, an eye-catching body and incredible power. Fuel efficiency and reduced greenhouse gas emissions are unlikely to creep into the fantasy image.

Indeed just a month ago the Green Piece Column (see article) examined some of the green sports cars headed our way – but they were generally restricted to offerings from relative upstarts like Tesla Motors and Fisker Automotive. The big name sports car makers it seemed were just carrying on, business as usual.

However, this year’s Geneva Motor Show has changed all that as one after the other, some of the biggest names in the sports car field revealed that they too have developed a green conscience. Let’s take a look at what’s coming from some of the motoring industry’s most respected car makers:

Ferrari – F1 technology goes green

Based on the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, the Italian carmaker unveiled the Ferrari HY-KERS in Geneva – a vehicle that features a lightweight hybrid drivetrain with system components located below the centre of gravity (see article).

The HY-KERS still has F1 technology and the performance characteristics of a typical Ferrari but manages to reduce CO2 emissions by around 35 per cent. It can even operate as a full electric vehicle in city traffic.

In addition, Ferrari has also introduced a stop and start system into the Ferrari California model that slashes fuel consumption and emissions by six per cent.

Lotus – A green triple threat

The Lotus Elise is one of the most sought-after super cars in the world and its transformation in Geneva is perhaps the most telling of all (see article). The new Elise now has the lowest CO2 performance for a petrol sports car in the world at less than 155g/km with fuel efficiency at 38mpg – yet it can still race from 0-60mph in just six seconds and achieve a top speed of 124mph.

However, Lotus’s green contributions to the show did not end there. It also unveiled the PROTON Concept (see article), a plug-in hybrid car which uses the Lotus Range Extender engine and can be charged using a domestic outlet to achieve electric-only operation when the vehicle is first used.

Also making its debut was the Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid Concept which produces 414PS of power and can accelerate from 0-60mph in less than four seconds (see article). It has an electric range of 35miles; a total hybrid range in excess of 300miles; and, according to Lotus, its total lifetime CO2 emissions is lower than that of a fully electric car with comparable performance.

Porsche – A hat-trick of hybrids

Few manufacturers have been as busy at Geneva as Porsche, which has introduced a hat-trick of hybrid cars at the event.

Perhaps the most eye-catching is the plug-in hybrid Porsche 918 Spyder concept car (see article) that is powered by a high-speed V8, can accelerate from 0-62mph in less than three seconds and can achieve a top speed of 198mph. However, despite these remarkable performance statistics, the plug-in hybrid technology makes it strikingly efficient with fuel consumption at 74.8mpg and emissions at 70g/km of CO2.

Also revealed at the event was the new Cayenne S Hybrid (see article), which slashes fuel consumption by 23 per cent compared to the previous model thanks to features such as auto stop-start, thermal management and intelligent lightweight construction. Fuel consumption is 28.75mpg and CO2 emissions are just 193g/km. Completing the set for Porsche is the 911 GT3 R Hybrid that includes a flywheel energy recovery system developed by Williams for F1 racing (see article).

And don’t forget…

Though Ferrari, Lotus and Porsche may have stolen the show in Geneva, they aren’t the only manufacturers with exciting green sports cars in their line-up.

Others to look out for include the Honda CR-Z (see article), dubbed the world’s first hybrid sports car and that is scheduled to be released in Europe this summer. Also coming is the Vauxhall/Opel Flextreme (see article), a range-extended concept with a total range in excess of 300miles and fuel consumption at 174mpg; and the Bentley SuperSports Convertible (see article) that boasts an impressive top speed of 202mph and yet is able to run on petrol or E85 bio-ethanol; and all of these on top of the aforementioned Fisker Karma and Tesla Roadster.

What now appears blatantly apparent is that no leading car maker can afford to rest on its laurels with regards to green technology. Consumers want fast, powerful, exciting super cars that still save money in the forecourt and slash emissions – and now it seems they are going to get them.

Faye Sunderland

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Forget a one-two punch – it’s a hat-trick of hybrids for Porsche at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show.

Having already introduced the Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid with flywheel KERS (see article) and the Cayenne S Hybrid (see article), now the company has revealed a plug-in hybrid Porsche 918 Spyder concept car.

This exciting two-seat model is powered by a high speed V8 that develops 500bhp at 9,200rpm and also boasts electric motors on the front and rear axle with a mechanical output of 218bhp. The engine is a further development of the 3.4litre power unit that is used in the RS Spyder, and power is transmitted by a seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe that also feeds the electric drive system to the rear axle. Meanwhile, a grid-chargeable lithium-ion battery pack is positioned behind the passenger cell. The Porsche 918 Spyder plug-in hybrid can accelerate from 0-100km/h in less than 3.2seconds and has a top speed of 198mph.

Despite its remarkable performance figures, the vehicle also boasts excellent fuel economy with fuel consumption at 78.4mpg and emissions at 70g/km of CO2.

In addition, there are four different running modes which a driver can select by pressing a button on the steering wheel. These are: e-drive, to run the car on electric power only with a range of 16miles; hybrid mode that uses both the electric motors and the combustion engine; sport hybrid that uses both drive systems but with a focus on performance; and race hybrid with the drive systems focused on pure performance with the highest standard of driving dynamics.

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The brand new generation of the Porsche Cayenne Sports Utility Vehicle will make its world debut at the Geneva International Motor Show in March.

The vehicle cuts fuel consumption compared to the former model by 23 per cent thanks to a host of green features including the new Tiptronic S eight-speed automatic transmission with auto start stop; thermal management on the engine and transmission cooling circuit; variable engine cut-off; intelligent lightweight construction; and on-board network recuperation. Fuel consumption is 28.75mpg, while CO2 emissions have been cut to 193g/km.

The hybrid Cayenne S is powered by a 333hp 3.0litre supercharged V6 engine and a 34kW electric motor. Together the two units deliver a maximum system output of 380hp as well as peak torque of 580Nm. To help with fast acceleration, the electric motor provides additional thrust through its boosting effect and the combustion engine can even be switched off at speeds as high as 97mph when no further power is required.

Along with the Cayenne S Hybrid, three of the five new Cayenne models consume less than 10 litres of fuel per 100km and two models emit less than 200g/km of CO2. Other models in the range include an entry level 3.6litre V6; a Cayenne Diesel that achieves 31.8mpg; a Cayenne S with a 4.8litre V8 power unit; and a Cayenne Turbo with a 4.8litre V8 bi-turbo that consumes 20.5mpg.

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It may not be the first car manufacturer you think of when you consider who does the most for the environment – but Porsche is clearly looking to encapsulate a new, green image.

Having recently announced the launch of another Porsche hybrid car (see article), the sports car specialist will now make a 40,000sq m area on the rooftop of its central spare parts warehouse in Sachsenheim available to Goldbeck Solar GmbH for the company to install and operate 8,500 photovoltaic modules there.

The electricity will be fed into the grid of energy provider E&W Eichwald GmbH with the system having a nominal output of two megawatts.

Installation is scheduled to begin before the end of the month with the system connected to the grid just a few weeks later. It is believed it will be able to generate close to two million kilowatt hours per year – that’s the equivalent of the average energy consumption of 500 four-people households. The move will also save around 1,780tons of carbon dioxide a year.

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Anticipation for March’s Geneva Motor Show is building, and now Porsche has announced that it too will debut a hybrid car at the event.

The Porsche 911 GT3 R hybrid for production-based GT racing will be showcased with its flywheel energy recovery system that was developed by Williams Hybrid Power initially for Formula One racing.

Among the features of the Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid is an electrical front axle drive that includes two electric motors that develop 60kW and each supplement the 480bhp four litre flat-six at the rear. Without the usual batteries of a hybrid car, the electrical flywheel power generator recaptures energy and delivers it to the electric motors.

The generator itself is an electric motor with a rotor that spins at speeds up to 40,000rpm. It is charged whenever the driver applies the brakes and, when necessary, such as for overtaking, the driver can call on the extra energy supplying up to 120kW to the two electric motors at the front.

Not only is hybrid drive used for extra power however, it is also used to save fuel boosting the vehicle’s efficiency and performance and reducing the need for pit-stops.

Once it has made its debut in Geneva, the Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid will be tested on the Nurburgring and it will be included in the 24Hours of the Nordschleife of Nurburgring on May 15-16.

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