PROVENANCE
The Brumos Collection, Jacksonville, Florida (acquired new in 2015)

THIS CAR
The 918 Spyder embodied the Porsche ideal for a new age. Showcasing Porsche’s technical superiority, the hybrid supercar concept, which was unveiled at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show, was propelled not only by a V-8 originating from the American Le Mans Series RS Spyder, but also by electric motors driving the front axle. A final production model hewing closely to the concept made a triumphant arrival at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 2013.

Michael Mauer, Porsche’s design chief, styled the 918’s aggressive shape, which was sculpted from carbon fiber and more evocative of racing Porsches than past road cars. A driver-focused cockpit was dominated by a console rising out of the center and was swathed in leather, aluminum, and carbon fiber. The center-mounted tachometer, a Porsche hallmark, incorporated electric power and regeneration information into the dial.

Active aerodynamics demonstrated the 918’s dual missions of performance combined with efficiency. At higher speeds, a discreet rear wing extends to provide more downforce, while in electric mode, shutters on the front grille close, reducing drag. The four-wheel independent suspension is complemented by the Porsche Adaptive Suspension Management shock absorber system, and the speed-sensitive rear-axle steering can turn the rear wheels in the opposite direction at low speeds for more precision, while at higher speeds steering the rear wheels in the same direction as the front for enhanced stability.

Developing 608 bhp at 8,700 rpm, the 4.6-liter V-8 – adapted from the RS Spyder endurance racer – works in tandem with electric motors mounted to the front and rear axles; these motors can recuperate energy through the ceramic composite disc brakes and send additional power to all four wheels. Connected to Porsche’s seven-speed Doppelkupplung transaxle, the complex plug-in hybrid system combines for a total maximum system output of 887 hp and 940 lbs./ft. of torque. The car also can be run solely on electric power, with a maximum range of 19 miles.

It is an incredible technical achievement. Porsche provided performance figures of 0–60 mph in 2.5 seconds, 0–120 mph in 7.2 seconds, and a top speed of 217 mph. In September 2013, a 918 fitted with the Weissach performance package set a Nürburgring lap time of 6:57, the first-series production road car to break the seven-minute barrier.

Just 918 examples of the 918 Spyder left Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen during a 21-month production run that ended in June 2015. This particular 918 Spyder is one of 294 allocated for the US, and was purchased new in 2015 through Brumos Porsche in Jacksonville, Florida, by the former owner of the Brumos family of automobile dealerships.

The Spyder is finished in Liquid Metal Silver, a vibrant and desirable paint option simulating the appearance of liquid metal (and costing an additional $63,000), over a “color to sample” red leather interior with a “special wishes” custom tailoring option. This 918 notably was specified with a front-axle lift system and lightweight Weissach package magnesium wheels in addition to the carbon fiber interior package, side mirrors finished in carbon fiber, carbon fiber floor mats with silver piping, seat belts with silver accent stripes, and stone shield. Even the VIN was custom-assigned for this car, ending in 59 to match the famous “59” that graced many of Brumos Racing’s 911 racers over decades of competition.

Carrying the traditional Brumos Porsche “test driven and approved by Hurley Haywood” windshield decal, this 918’s odometer registers less than 2,500 miles, many of which were driven by Haywood himself, and has its original delivery accessories, including books, keys, covers, battery charger, and even a 1:18 scale glass model of the car.

In excellent condition, thanks in part to the optional stone shield that protects many of its exterior surfaces, this car has been meticulously maintained within The Brumos Collection since delivery with all recalls and recommended services performed.

A hybrid with plug-in technology that pushed the boundaries of innovation, only a limited number of the Porsche 918 Spyder were allocated to the US, and they sold out well before production commenced. The sale of this 918 direct from The Brumos Collection presents a rare opportunity for a collector to purchase a statement vehicle on the forefront of what it means to be a modern supercar.