THERE’S 918 reasons to crank up the volume this morning, with the release overnight of a video of the Porsche 918 Spyder hybrid sports coupe at full noise in the Australian outback.
The video shows the next-generation Audi R8 e-tron rival hitting its 350km/h straps after cruising for 25km under electric power alone from Alice Springs in the Northern Territory to the start of the derestricted part of the Stuart Highway.
At this point, the full 652kW of the mid-mounted V8 and twin electric motors is combined to push the hybrid two-seater from 60km/h right up to the 350km/h limit just 40 seconds later.
Porsche said the controlled test took place with a professional driver at the wheel on the only stretch of public road in Australia where such a feat is possible.
The car maker used radios and spotters to ensure the road was empty of traffic at the time.
The left-hand-drive 918 Spyder is in the final days of an Australian promotional tour showcasing its hybrid technology.
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