Skip to main content

Porsche turns up the power on the 918 hybrid, taking on McLaren and Ferrari

Porsche 918 Spyder
Image used with permission by copyright holder

We’ve been giddy about the 918 for a while now, as it is a combination of everything we’re passionate about: tech and speed.

The Porsche 918 plug-in hybrid supercar was the one that set the stage for the McLaren P1 and the Ferrari LaFerrari but was quickly upstaged by the dynamic duo – each putting power in excess of 900 horses to the pavement.

As far as we knew, the 918, which has had a long road to final production, was pegged at 795 horsepower. According to a fellow who pre-ordered one, however, and has visited the Porsche Development Center, the power could be in excess of 875 horsepower for production.

Posting on TeamSpeed, the buyer says the production 918 will be lighter weight and faster than previously announced, capable of rounding the Nurburgring in less than seven minutes.

At the end of his post, the author reveals that he has ordered all three hybrid supercars: 918, P1, and LaFerrari. He uses these bragging rights to emphasize his unbiased look at the 918.

The 918 – even if the extra power rumors aren’t true – is an amazing beast. It’ll go 93 miles on its electric batteries alone and also hit break-neck speeds. With an open top roof and four-wheel steering, it seems the 918 might be the ultimate supercar.

The 918 is expected to make its official production debut in September at the Frankfurt Auto Show. We’re hoping we’ll know more as the event approaches so stay tuned for more.

Editors' Recommendations

Nick Jaynes
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Nick Jaynes is the Automotive Editor for Digital Trends. He developed a passion for writing about cars working his way…
Mercedes-Benz G580 first drive: old-school off-roader goes electric
2025 Mercedes-Benz G580 from three quarter view.

American car buyers mostly know Mercedes-Benz as a luxury brand. But for decades, the automaker has also produced the tough, rugged G-Class (also known as the Geländewagen or G-Wagen), an SUV not afraid to get its leather upholstery muddy. And now, this iconic Mercedes is going electric.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ Technology — the final name of the SUV previously known as the EQG — isn’t the first electric off-roader. The Rivian R1S and R1T and GMC Hummer EV have proven that electric powertrains and off-roading are a great combination. But the electric G-Wagen is different because it’s based on an internal-combustion model — and a very traditional one at that.

Read more
Honda believes hydrogen semi trucks will make the case for fuel cells
Honda hydrogen fuel-cell semi truck.

Honda remains committed to hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles, but the market for those vehicles remains limited. So Honda is looking at other uses for fuel cells -- including commercial trucks.

To show how that could work, Honda converted a semi truck to fuel-cell power, replacing its diesel engine with three fuel-cell modules. Together, the three modules produce a combined 321 horsepower, and can propel the truck to a top speed of 70 mph. There's enough onboard hydrogen storage capacity for a 400-mile range with a full load, Honda claims.

Read more
Mercedes-Benz G580 vs Rivian R2: Is the much cheaper Rivian actually better?
2025 Mercedes-Benz G580 from three quarter view.

Mercedes-Benz has finally taken the wraps off of the new "Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ Technology." Yeah, it's a mouthful, but it's basically a new electric G-Wagon. It looks a lot like the G-Wagon you know and love, but with an electric powertrain and a battery. It's not the only electric SUV out there, however, and there are some great ones -- like the Rivian R2.

Both the Mercedes G580 and the Rivian R2 have a lot going for them, but they also approach the electric SUV slightly differently. Is one better than the other? I put the two head-to-head to find out.
Design
The approach that the two vehicles take to design is quite different -- and you might like one better than the other.

Read more