Porsche 959 vs. Porsche 918
The classic old school vs. the immaculate new school! Who will win?
1. Classic looks
If looks could kill, then these 2 would both be serial killers. On one hand, you have the classic lines and shape of a 911, turned into a supercar. The Porsche 959 has a body that was comprised of aluminum, plastic and - wait for it - Kevlar. Yes, the same material used in bulletproof vests! On the other hand, the Porsche 918 Spyder bears sexy, sharp lines spun out of the latest carbon fiber, and lower sleeker look than the 959.
Luckily for us, Car and Driver did an in depth road test and comparison of these two priceless Porsches to help us decide.
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2. Power Delivery
Both of these beasts bring a heavy dose of oomph, and all-wheel drive to put it to the pavement. The Porsche 918 has an impressive 2.2 second 0-60 time, but in its day the 959's 3.6 second time was more akin to a dragster or jet taking off. The modern car packs a DOHC 32v V8 pushing 600 hp, plus a hybrid system that can kick in another 275 hp. In the 959. power comes from the sequentially turbocharged flat-six engine producing a whopping 444 horsepower, more than double what a regular 911 made at the time.
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3. Technology
Sure, the hybrid super car bears the dual electric motors and a battery pack that belts out over 800 total horsepower, but, the real winner here is the Porsche 959. Ahead of its time, it featured a programmable AWD, cockpit height adjustable suspension, as well as 3-way adjustable dampening adjustable. The "Denloc" system featured the ability to mimic the "run-flat" technology seen in BMW today. Lastly, the sequential turbocharging system kept turbo lag at a minimum while maximizing power output.
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4. Pure Joy
The 918 screams speed while keeping you planted in the rigid bucket seats, but the manufactured feedback of the bells and whistles can give the driver a false sense of control. The 959 reminds the driver of its age with an analog feel, while the lackluster interior is simple and purposeful. The seats in the 959 may seem basic, but they keep enthusiasts planted comfortably while experiencing true automotive bliss as they barrel through the canyons with a smile. You can say that the 918 makes the driver feel connected to the car with computer aids and manufactured feedback, while the 959 give you a physical and visceral connection you can't deny.
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5. Fan Favorite
One word describes the clear winner: Nostalgia. The Porsche 959 was born in the 80's and is going to speak loudly to any enthusiast over the age of 30. When even the best sports cars were slow and choked by smog regulations, the 959 was ahead of it's time and even today would impress any fan of fast, competent supercars. That's not to say the 918 Spyder is a lesser car, it's just that, all the computers, bells and whistles can't compete with the power of the classic's pull on our heartstrings. While they share some of the same DNA, each one is unique. Which one if your favorite?
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