Chris Harris's new review of the 918 Spyder
12-19-2013, 09:34 AM
#4
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I've probably said it a million times, but Chris Harris is my favorite automotive journalist. He is always able to communicate the broader essence of the car and combines the factual and philosophical very well.
As an unabashed and admittedly biased fan of Porsche, I liked this car/concept from the very start. However, the finished product is even better than I anticipated. Now if only I could convince my wife that we don't REALLY need a house...
As an unabashed and admittedly biased fan of Porsche, I liked this car/concept from the very start. However, the finished product is even better than I anticipated. Now if only I could convince my wife that we don't REALLY need a house...
12-19-2013, 11:57 AM
#5
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I agree on Chris Harris. It is curious some of the themes that we are now dealing with... Many here have argued against and for a PSM systems for the CGT. I personally wished they had (and others can just turn it off if they wanted to), but there is so much other unique things about the car and it's character, that there is no better driving experience.. Chris actually becomes a fan of PSM on the 918 and likes the relatively silent aspect of the electric motors. He even sounds almost neutral with the electric steering. He basically just enjoys flying around the track as fast as possible and these elements all help the 918 do so better. I enjoy big long adventurous drives -- just connecting with the car -- and there is a difference... A manual clutch, an engine that howls like a banshee, steering and suspension where you feel like you licking the road, etc. However, I could honestly see people owning both (I am not a huge racetrack fan; it's for learning for me). The 918 nicely bookends the CGT (since the 918 is "better" on both the track and for daily driving). Cheers, Steve
12-19-2013, 01:21 PM
#6
Nordschleife Master
Chris Harris is still a paid journo who enjoys his job and the opportunity to drive the latest and greatest. I don't blame him one bit,if I were lucky enough to have such a job I'd do the exact same thing to keep it.
It is my belief that if he expressed his real feelings about each new car he tested he'd be out of a job. We all know,like most of us here,he prefers the analog raw feel,a direct hydraulic steering,the least possible nannies,NA high reving engines and a MANUAL tranny.
It is a known fact Ferrari " banned " him for a while because of his comments...
It is my belief that if he expressed his real feelings about each new car he tested he'd be out of a job. We all know,like most of us here,he prefers the analog raw feel,a direct hydraulic steering,the least possible nannies,NA high reving engines and a MANUAL tranny.
It is a known fact Ferrari " banned " him for a while because of his comments...
12-19-2013, 03:16 PM
#7
Chris Harris is still a paid journo who enjoys his job and the opportunity to drive the latest and greatest. I don't blame him one bit,if I were lucky enough to have such a job I'd do the exact same thing to keep it.
It is my belief that if he expressed his real feelings about each new car he tested he'd be out of a job. We all know,like most of us here,he prefers the analog raw feel,a direct hydraulic steering,the least possible nannies,NA high reving engines and a MANUAL tranny.
It is a known fact Ferrari " banned " him for a while because of his comments...
It is my belief that if he expressed his real feelings about each new car he tested he'd be out of a job. We all know,like most of us here,he prefers the analog raw feel,a direct hydraulic steering,the least possible nannies,NA high reving engines and a MANUAL tranny.
It is a known fact Ferrari " banned " him for a while because of his comments...
Good comments. Notice that Porsche gave Chris Harris very special treatment at Valencia's Circuit Ricardo Tormo. For his video report Chris, seemingly alone among all the other Valencia 918 test driving reviews we have seen to date, was allowed by Porsche to have his drive(s) be captured on video from a follow-up vehicles (front & rear) and from many more additional stationary cameras (compared to other reviewer's video drives) at the Ricardo Tormo track. Furthermore, unlike most other motor press correspondents that attended the Valencia test drives, he was able to drive the 918 on two separate days - with generous additional time to video it all! And most importantly, Chris was (perhaps singularly among the attending press) allowed to turn off the 'nannies' - Traction Control and Electronic Stability Control (PSM in Porsche speak) - on his 918 Spyder to demonstrate his signature 'hooligan' drifting moves! Drifting a nearly US$1 million vehicle on the track! In fact, to make the point more vivid, Chris was even wearing his 'Hooligan' t-shirt on his 918 Spyder drive!
I think Porsche was VERY MUCH aware of Chris Harris somewhat 'dubious' & 'negative' review during the March test drives at Leipzig (below). They obviously tried their best to impress him this time around with this particular 'close-to-production' spec prototype at Valencia. And Porsche's efforts appear to have worked! His review at Valencia is extremely positive. And it comes in the wake of a similar positive review of the PDK only 991 gt3 last June (last video below). The net result of all of these recent reviews is that Chris Harris is back on Porsche's good graces and we will see him getting front row seating, without a doubt, at future Porsche models testing events!
'Proper car...proper car (#!&/ha,ha,ha)...oh, yes '. Yes, proper car indeed!
Saludos,
Eduardo
March 2013 Chris Harris 918 Spyder Review at Leipzig
June 2013 Chris Harris 991 gt3 Review somewhere in Europe
Last edited by Z356; 12-19-2013 at 03:34 PM.
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12-19-2013, 03:47 PM
#8
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Chris Harris is still a paid journo who enjoys his job and the opportunity to drive the latest and greatest. I don't blame him one bit,if I were lucky enough to have such a job I'd do the exact same thing to keep it.
It is my belief that if he expressed his real feelings about each new car he tested he'd be out of a job. We all know,like most of us here,he prefers the analog raw feel,a direct hydraulic steering,the least possible nannies,NA high reving engines and a MANUAL tranny.
It is a known fact Ferrari " banned " him for a while because of his comments...
It is my belief that if he expressed his real feelings about each new car he tested he'd be out of a job. We all know,like most of us here,he prefers the analog raw feel,a direct hydraulic steering,the least possible nannies,NA high reving engines and a MANUAL tranny.
It is a known fact Ferrari " banned " him for a while because of his comments...
12-19-2013, 04:37 PM
#9
Nordschleife Master
Sorry, I disagree with what you are suggesting. Yes, he may not say things in a rude or outrageous way when he has a negative view, but he DOES express those views pretty clearly, as the video from his experience with the car last spring demonstrates. If you don't beleive that the very high opinion of the car that Chris so clearly expresses in this video is true, then does that mean you feel he is being fundamentally dishonest?
And BTW,the only 2 aspects he commented about while driving the 918 prototype in the spring were the " weird " brake pedal feel,which had been explained afterwards,that it was due to " fine tuning was still needed " and he was wondering how good this car can be without the added weight of the batteries...that's it! I don't see how that video demonstrates anything...
12-20-2013, 12:27 AM
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Ferrari banned Chris because he clearly explained the way they "manipulated" their reviews by (i) bringing specially "tuned" cars (one for straight out acceleration, the other for the curves, for example) and therefore were not models straight off the assembly line (which you or I could buy); (ii) not allowing you to review any other Ferraris than the one that they bought you (for example, if you or a friend owned one or you borrowed another one); and (iii) didn't generally tolerate any negative reviews (which they probably weren't many anyhow). Otherwise, you were banned (for life?). Chris liked the cars and thought this was all pretty silly and unnecessary. He opened up the kimono here to their rules and got banned.
Chris clearly did get special treatment at the track here for the 918 (which we can all be grateful for because he could then tell us more), but I think in what he says and doesn't say, he's pretty honest and clear. He gave the 918 the credit it was due and yet also addressed issues that "old school" folks like myself would be curious to know about. I was surprised about one thing: the car goes to the limit and then bites you (well, with the PSM on, it is pretty damn hard to do that). Sound familiar? But then again, any very high demanding mid-engined probably will -- the CGT more so because it is RWD and no PSM.
I think of the Ferrari FF as a family car derivative of some of the technology developed by Porsche here (I am sure they must have designed a lot of it?). There have been the most tiniest of rumours that they might make a 4-seater "918"? Now that, I would definitely buy (talk about family drives). I can't quite imagine it though...
Chris clearly did get special treatment at the track here for the 918 (which we can all be grateful for because he could then tell us more), but I think in what he says and doesn't say, he's pretty honest and clear. He gave the 918 the credit it was due and yet also addressed issues that "old school" folks like myself would be curious to know about. I was surprised about one thing: the car goes to the limit and then bites you (well, with the PSM on, it is pretty damn hard to do that). Sound familiar? But then again, any very high demanding mid-engined probably will -- the CGT more so because it is RWD and no PSM.
I think of the Ferrari FF as a family car derivative of some of the technology developed by Porsche here (I am sure they must have designed a lot of it?). There have been the most tiniest of rumours that they might make a 4-seater "918"? Now that, I would definitely buy (talk about family drives). I can't quite imagine it though...
12-20-2013, 09:45 AM
#12
@Eduardo: This guys also had a Porsche (albeit 911 GT3's or TT's) filming in front of, and behind him, at Top Gear Polksa, as well. There are English Subtitles, that are well translated.
I also think, the reason why CH was on the track for two days; is because most of the drivers went into town to drive their cars, after their time on the track. But CH mentioned, his filming, took that option away (remember, Porsche personnel escorted the media in town) for whatever reason.
I actually thought, CH was being a Dolt, when he reviewed the car back in May. He was obviously very impressed with the vehicle. But he wouldn't let his premature biases ultimately escape him. That was on him.
I'm not surprised with his reaction to the finished/near finished vehicle.
I also think, the reason why CH was on the track for two days; is because most of the drivers went into town to drive their cars, after their time on the track. But CH mentioned, his filming, took that option away (remember, Porsche personnel escorted the media in town) for whatever reason.
I actually thought, CH was being a Dolt, when he reviewed the car back in May. He was obviously very impressed with the vehicle. But he wouldn't let his premature biases ultimately escape him. That was on him.
I'm not surprised with his reaction to the finished/near finished vehicle.
12-20-2013, 10:39 AM
#13
As some of you may, or may not know; the 918's front electric motor (and it's 127-9 HP) decouples above 165 mph (at the moment). That is why, the 918's not as fast above 186 mph in a straight line as it could be (not it's weight, drive train loss, it's battery, etc.). Porsche could have adjusted this, but decided to keep it this way.
Here's the reason, and engineering behind in--in vivid (i.e; never been explained) detail, according to David Booth, of The National (CA).
Well, I guess Porsche expects (or has prepared) the 918 to be taken to tracks, behind this logic (unless it's just a BS explanation for not including the 2 speed front electric transmission)? 
Here's the reason, and engineering behind in--in vivid (i.e; never been explained) detail, according to David Booth, of The National (CA).
The 918 Spyder could have been faster
Yes, you read that right. The fastest production Porsche in history, a car that hits 100kph in 2.6 seconds and tops out at 345kph, could have been, had its engineers made a few compromises, even more rapid. Porsche chose to not take advantage of every ounce of speed that it could squeeze out of the carbon-fibred, hybrid supercar. There’s even, as one would expect, logical reasoning behind the decision.
Much has been made in the motoring press that, while the 918 is quicker to 265kph than Bugatti’s all-conquering Veyron Grand Sport, it lags above that speed.
The explanation for this deficiency is that one of the 918’s two hybrid electric motors – the front 129hp unit – is directly geared to the front tyres, and by the time that 265kph is showing, the little permanent magnet motor is already spinning at its 16,000rpm maximum. Above 265kph, Porsche expediently disconnects the front electric motor, lowering the 918’s 887hp peak to somewhere around 760hp. Hence, the 918’s acceleration is comparatively slow above 265kph, if one can even remotely imagine that 19.9 seconds to 300kph can somehow be deemed anything other than stupefyingly fast.
Porsche could have added a two-speed gearbox to the front motor, the second cog allowing the front electric motor to function past 265kph, thus erasing that high-speed acceleration disadvantage to the Bugatti, says Fabian Grill, the 918’s electronics and hybrid expert.
But, says Grill, that extra gear would have added 8kg to the 918’s all-up weight, an expansion that Porsche was unwilling to accommodate. As Grill points out, just the 41kg that the Weissach edition reduces (3.5kg alone by eschewing paint) compared to the regular Spyder is worth three seconds per lap at the Nürburgring and, ultimately, it was determined that saving those 8kg was of greater importance than any theoretical gain in top speed. It might have been faster in a straight line, says Grill, but slower round corners.
Read more: http://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/...#ixzz2o1eE0o3P
Follow us: @TheNationalUAE on Twitter | thenational.ae on Facebook
Yes, you read that right. The fastest production Porsche in history, a car that hits 100kph in 2.6 seconds and tops out at 345kph, could have been, had its engineers made a few compromises, even more rapid. Porsche chose to not take advantage of every ounce of speed that it could squeeze out of the carbon-fibred, hybrid supercar. There’s even, as one would expect, logical reasoning behind the decision.
Much has been made in the motoring press that, while the 918 is quicker to 265kph than Bugatti’s all-conquering Veyron Grand Sport, it lags above that speed.
The explanation for this deficiency is that one of the 918’s two hybrid electric motors – the front 129hp unit – is directly geared to the front tyres, and by the time that 265kph is showing, the little permanent magnet motor is already spinning at its 16,000rpm maximum. Above 265kph, Porsche expediently disconnects the front electric motor, lowering the 918’s 887hp peak to somewhere around 760hp. Hence, the 918’s acceleration is comparatively slow above 265kph, if one can even remotely imagine that 19.9 seconds to 300kph can somehow be deemed anything other than stupefyingly fast.
Porsche could have added a two-speed gearbox to the front motor, the second cog allowing the front electric motor to function past 265kph, thus erasing that high-speed acceleration disadvantage to the Bugatti, says Fabian Grill, the 918’s electronics and hybrid expert.
But, says Grill, that extra gear would have added 8kg to the 918’s all-up weight, an expansion that Porsche was unwilling to accommodate. As Grill points out, just the 41kg that the Weissach edition reduces (3.5kg alone by eschewing paint) compared to the regular Spyder is worth three seconds per lap at the Nürburgring and, ultimately, it was determined that saving those 8kg was of greater importance than any theoretical gain in top speed. It might have been faster in a straight line, says Grill, but slower round corners.
Read more: http://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/...#ixzz2o1eE0o3P
Follow us: @TheNationalUAE on Twitter | thenational.ae on Facebook
12-20-2013, 03:51 PM
#15
Two interesting things came from this video, however. Five 918's are slated for wealthy customers in Poland. Not a bad figure at all for that country. And the reviewer admitted that only slightly more than half of the 918 vehicles scheduled for production of this model are presently sold. Not something I am sure Porsche wanted publicized.
I also think, the reason why CH was on the track for two days; is because most of the drivers went into town to drive their cars, after their time on the track. But CH mentioned, his filming, took that option away (remember, Porsche personnel escorted the media in town) for whatever reason.
Saludos,
Eduardo