After a multi-year hiatus from the North American International Auto Show, Porsche roared back to Detroit with a stunning electric-powered racing test bed that contains as much emotional electricity as its powertrain. The 918 RSR’s mid-mounted, direct-injected V8 generates 563 horsepower to the rear wheels using a six-speed racing transmission. Then engineers attached a 75 kW electric motor to each front wheel giving the Porsche up to 767 horsepower for as much as eight seconds when fully charged. The energy comes from a flywheel, which collects it through regenerative braking. The same system was tested last year in the 911 GT3 R Hybrid at the Petit Le Mans endurance race at Road Atlanta.
As powerful and fast as the car may be, its silver blue body glistens menacingly and is beautifully proportioned from every angle. With flip-up doors, carbon-fiber body panels and a roof-mounted air intake the RSR is thoroughly modern. Yet it reminds race fans of the legendary Porsche 917 that dominated the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1971. Plans haven’t been revealed about where the car will run, but it will certainly be seen at some point by motor enthusiasts! It’s Porsche’s style.
