6 Apr 2013

Exclusive - Speedmonkey goes for a ride in the Porsche 918 Spyder

Speedmonkey goes for a passenger ride in the Porsche 918 Spyder in almost production form around the Bahrain F1 Circuit

Speedmonkey reader Robin Bartram-Brown lives close to the Bahrain F1 circuit, and often races his own, and wealthy friends', cars and bikes at the circuit.  Robin was at the track when Porsche supplied a handful of 918 Spyder's for evaluation and testing by prospective (and wealthy) customers.

He even got to run around the track for a few laps in the passenger seat.  Here are Robin's thoughts on the forthcoming Porsche 918 Spyder.

"I am lucky and I see and drive a lot of cars most people would never even sit in, but the passenger ride in the 918 was just epic."

"It is truly the most phenomenal car I have ever seen or been in.  I can not tell you how beautiful it is in the flesh and its not even finished yet. Its great to see Porsche motorsport out here, obviously trying to generate sales but also developing the car as well."

"To cruise down the main straight at 150 km/h on 2 electric motors and then hear the main engine cut in with the roar of the V8 is simply astonishing. The brakes and the braking points are so late it is just ridiculous and so forgiving."

So there we have it.  The 918 looks beautiful in the flesh, the powertrain is astonishing and brakes ridiculously strong.

Robin adds: "I am sure the arguments will be that it is not as collectable as the P1 or LaFerrari and that they are building too many.  I am told by collectors that I know here that 500 is the magic number and they don't see the 918 as a collectors car but for me, it simply is the best engineered, best designed car that I have ever seen."




All photos courtesy of Robin Bartram-Brown