Daily Slideshow: Why Buying a 918 was an Investment From the Beginning

What Is It?

Debuting as a 2013 model, the Porsche 918 Spyder was the next in the line of Porsche hypercars. The 918 debuted with a complicated and highly advanced hybrid powertrain, a next-generation PDK dual clutch transmission, and a genius-level all-wheel-drive system. The 918 had a price tag just north of $1,000,000 and those with the available funds jumped on it. So why pay double the cost of most people's homes? There are a few convincing reasons. Click along as we'll address all the reasons you should buy a 918 if you have the chance. 

Heritage

The 918 Spyder is the third of Porsche's super/hypercar family. The first, the 959, broke the mold for supercars. It debuted in 1986 and was far different than any of the competition on the block. With a twin-turbocharged flat-six engine and Porsche's first performance-oriented all-wheel drive system, the 959 was an absolute rocket ship. The 959 clicked off a 3.6-second 0-60 time and ran off to a top speed of 197 mph. It wasn't until 2003 that Porsche went back to the supercar well. Although the Carrera GT is recognized as the successor to the 959, it took the existing recipe and threw it out the window. Gone was the turbocharged engine. In its place was a screamer of a naturally-aspirated V10. The all-wheel drive system was ditched for a racier rear-wheel drive layout. The body now featured state of the art tech like carbon fiber and materials like carbon ceramic brakes. With a pedigree like this, the 918 had to deliver on all fronts while paying homage to those that came before it. 

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Motorsports Inspiration

With a decade to develop the 918, Porsche infused its latest hypercar offering with plenty of racing-derived gadgets. To start, the cabin is a carbon fiber reinforced monocoque. The engine is based off a Le Mans prototype racecar. The brakes are electro-mechanical and offer regenerative capability to fill the batteries on board. More on that later. If there were any doubts about the racing-oriented nature of the 918, look no farther than the Venturi-style exhausts which exit just behind the cabin. Lastly, the 918 debuted with a series of drive modes including a "Push to Pass" button which initiates the "Hot Lap" setting, maximizing the electric motors' output for ultimate performance. 

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Styling

Porsche is often criticized for not taking enough risks in the styling department. The constant knock on the next generation 911 is that it looks like every other 911. The 918 Spyder should end that discussion straight away. The 918 is a dramatic mix of classic Porsche styling cues and modern. As the Spyder name suggests, the top is removable, allowing the driver to experience the 918's exhaust note at full volume. Not only does the 918 push the envelope for Porsche, but its guaranteed to be the spark of inspiration for future generations of supercars and entry-level submodels. 

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Technology

Porsche's PDK dual-clutch has carried the torch as the benchmark since it first debuted. It took another step forward when the 7-speed iteration debuted in the 918. The transmission blends perfectly with the hybrid powertrain and allows the 918 to be propelled at next-level speeds with imperceptible shifts. Then there's the electric motor itself. The 918 is Porsche's first performance car to employ an electric motor to supplement its gas-powered engine. With the 918 carrying a load of firsts, this vehicle will be looked back as the genesis of modern performance. 

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Speed

Above all, the 918 was destined to be fast. How fast? Well, the preceding Carrera GT reached 60 mph from a dead stop in just over 3.5 seconds. The modern, all-wheel drive, hybrid 918? It blew away all other road-legal Porsches past and present with a 2.2-second romp to 60. The top speed? An unbelievable 211 mph. In order to achieve those supreme performance statistics, Porsche needed the proper weapon underhood. What they came up with was race-derived, naturally aspirated 4.6 liter V8 capable of 600 horsepower on its own. 600 horsepower is a great number for 2013, however, the 918's legend needs to carry for decades down the line. To ensure the 918 could never be viewed as limp-wristed or half-hearted, Porsche brought in a 154 horsepower electric motor to supplement the 4.6-liter. In addition, a 125-horsepower electric motor powers the forward-most wheels bringing total output to 887 horsepower and an equally important 830 lb-ft of torque.  

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Exclusivity

Nine hundred eighteen. That's the magical number. The number of Porsche 918 Spyders which were produced between 2013 and 2015, a limited 3 year run of Porsche's best hypercar offering. By comparison, 1,270 Carrera GTs were built. Of course, the 959 is a much more rare unicorn with an estimated 345 959s coming out of the factory. Nonetheless, the 918 is in rarefied air. As your middle school economics class taught, supply and demand rule the market. 

>>Join the conversation about the 918 right here in the Rennlist Forum.

Opportunity

Buying the 918 now affords a long list of opportunities for the owner. For starters, there's the opportunity to own a future classic and watch the market appreciate. Secondly, the 918 carries the power of persuasion and inclusion. Show up to any club in a 918 and you'll bypass the line. Drive up to the valet and you'll be sure to have front row parking. Bring the 918 on a first date... and well, you can ponder the rest. Finally, owning a 918 shows the big wigs at Porsche how dedicated you are to the brand. Possession of a 918 opens the door to purchasing the future Porsche hypercars, supercars, and limited editions models. The 918 might be the ultimate investment if for no other reason that it provides the opportunity to make future investments in the Porsche brand. "It takes money to make money", now that phrase makes all the sense in the world.