F12 & 918 driven hard on the Stelvio Pass.

Very cool, I love roads like that, and the even twistier ones.
Fun is not a straight line.

Looking forward to the video's !

But Sinsheim is worth the 5.5 hour trip then?
There is also the Technik museum Speyer on half an hour drive from Sinsheim, did you guys go there aswell?

Kind regards,

Aram.

 

Condor Man is the "serious machine" you meant? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJn7LHE83cc
A V12 with 47l displacement.

 

Lovely video and beautiful cars. I still have not driven the Stelvio (I think the only pass in the Alps I haven't driven). I hang my head in shame....

I love the F12, I have to say. Fantastic to drive.


Onno

 

I noticed this as well, the F12 can have serious bite. It can catch you off guard easily, even with the nannies on.

After 30,000 kms in the 458, of which quite a few track kms, two weeks ago I was caught off guard by my 458 Italia in Sport mode as well - for the first time. Gave a little bit of oomph (only a little), and suddenly my nose was pointing towards the car coming from the opposite direction. Seems there was a dent in the road just as I pushed the throttle that caused the car to swing into a big power oversteer moment, causing my nose to point 30 degrees to the left...

Just goes to show - you have to be mindful with these modern supercars and hypercars - especially when the tarmac is a bit cold or damp. It sometimes only takes one tiny moment off guard to create a big problem. So I can understand you would take the FF for holidays.


Onno

 

+1 had the same thing happen in my 458. These cars are very sensitive to road surface.

 

Sorry for going off topic, I just got a quick question. Apart from 9R3, could you please elaborate on the other aborted project please.

 

Amazing how much quicker the 918 is! Of course you can buy 3-4 f12s for the price of one 918. The LF would be an amazing comparison. Regardless, the video is great and the sound of the f12 is off the charts!

 

The Convoluted History Of Why The Carrera GT Sounds Like An F1 Car

That V10 was from an aborted F1 engine program, then the failed 9R3.

 

Thanks, I had forgotten about the debacle of the footwork F1 effort.

Don't you think they used the link with Motorsport as a marketing stunt? I understand the architecture is somewhat similar, 68 degrees, but it ends there. Same goes with the 918, I understand the fact that they used a V8 in the RS spyder. But is it not a big stretch to say they are using the same in the 918 ( apart from the concept)

Thanks for sharing your inside knowledge.

 

I don't mean to steal your thread but my two Stelio videos, ones up and the other is down. Up includes a great Italian radio jam...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uY7JlQqGOEE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prqRJVfYYGg

 

For the 918, Porsche had to find a suitable power plant with enough output. The regular production V8 was too heavy, the regular flat 6 don't have enough output, and the RS Spyder V8 was the only lightweight one they have that will hit their HP target.But they ended up will basically a brand new engine anyway as the block had to be re-cast to eliminate the accessories drive and the bigger capacity, and then later the decision to swap the intake and exhaust side because of heat management.

 

What is about the RS that makes you love it so much? I've been considering one or at least a GT3 non RS. Also, how could Porsche increase e motor output without upgrading components? Ive been saying for a while that these hybrid HyperCars are running current/last gen battery and e motor tech. The 918 could get insanely quick (if it isn't already) in a couple years if they offer the ability to switch to lighter and more powerful e motors and battery's as they become available.

 

I have always been a 911 guy, so the rear engine layout handling quirks I am used to, the RS kept that but just raised the limit sky high. It is so easy to drive fast in it. While I am spoiled by the 918 and the 2 V12 Ferraris that I have on power, the RS is still a mighty fast car, especially on corners. It is just very enjoyable to be behind the wheel in the RS. Porsche got everything right with it.

As for the e-motors. Porsche do test them to breaking points, than scale back down to a safe reliable output for 'retail' and a healthy safety margin. So basically the performance is always there. But through continue testing they can see they can cut closer to the true potential without compromising reliability.

 

Thanks Whoopsy, that's really interesting about the e motors. I'd assume at some point they'll no longer have to decouple the front motors when the reliability allows for it. They'll probably upgrade your battery and e motor systems all together one day. The tech is improving all the time!

 

The real convertible guys use the roof ONLY in case of rain.

So you're not an idiot, just a genuine convertible guy

 

Just about every 918 owner is very happy with the current performance. While the 918 is rated at 887HP, with the gas motor putting out 608HP, SAE standard allows for +-5% variation. Each 918 motor is bench tested to make at least 608HP, so in theory, Porsche could make each and every single one of them a 638HP engine and still be compliant. Only Porsche itself knows how much every single motor is putting out as they are the only one with the data stored somewhere. I had asked for a dyne read out of my own motor and the request was declined.

The front motor is limited by the maximum operating rpm, they had already raised it once between prototype and shipping car, so there might not be much headroom, perhaps another 5mph, 10mph or something. Not many tracks in the world demand sustained speed above 165mph/265km/hr anyway. And the way it comes out of corners means the competitions are playing catch up for the duration of the straight even with a superior top speed.

As for upgrading the e-motor and/or the battery pack, we heard nothing about the e-motors, but the battery is a different story. It perhaps could come as a smaller package but keeping the same capacity, or keeping the same package but with higher capacity.

Making the car lighter means they had to retune the suspension and handling, so that's not a likely solution. Nothing official yet, it's just all rumours.

 

Do upgrades come in a format like Tesla (beamed over wifi) or do they require a trip to the dealer?

 

Software updates has to be done in the workshop via Porsche's computer.

 

Please let me know next time you go! In zurich and would love to join with my f430 i know some others that would love to join too