World News Cars

Detroit - Dr. Ing. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, is continuing to extend its performance and high efficiency competence via intensive development work in the field of hybrid technology. With the Porsche 918 RSR, the manufacturer of sporty premium vehicles is presenting a high-end synthesis of 2010's successful hybrid concepts. The two-seater mid-engine coupe 918 RSR clearly reveals what happens when the technology fitted in the 911 GT3 R hybrid and the design of the 918 Spyder are transferred to a modern, innovative super sports car. From the tradition established by classic Porsche long-distance race cars such as the 908 long-tail coupe (1969) and the 917 short-tail coupe (1971), the Porsche designers created a link to the postmodernism of the "form follows function" philosophy. In the 918 RSR, the lines' elegant flow is dominated by muscular wheel arches, dynamic air intakes and a pulpit-like cockpit. A visible fan wheel between the ram air intake tubes and a rear spoiler with RS Spyder dimensions additionally emphasize the racing laboratory function.

The new "liquid metal chrome blue" color which has been created underscores the sculptured curves of the forms, whilst the typical Porsche hybrid orange color on brake calipers and the body's longitudinal stripes lends remarkable touches. Motor racing technology also dominates within the particularly light, torsionally stiff carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) monocoque. The V8 engine is a further development of the direct injection engine from the successful RS Spyder race car and now offers an output of precisely 563 hp at 10,300 rpm in the 918 RSR. The electric motors on the two front wheels each contribute 75 kW, i.e. a total of 150 kW, to the peak drive power of exactly 767 hp. This additional power, which is generated during braking, is stored in an optimized flywheel accumulator. In the 918 RSR, the two electric motors offer a torque vectoring function with variable torque distribution to the front axle. This additionally increases agility and improves steering response. Mounted upstream of the rear axle, the mid-engine is integrated with a racing transmission also based on the RS Spyder race car. This further developed six-speed constant-mesh transmission with longitudinally mounted shafts and straight-toothed spur gears is operated using two shift paddles behind the racing steering wheel. The vehicle's functional equipment underscores its puristic motor racing character. Whether it be the characteristic doors which open obliquely upwards, the air intake in the roof bet ?

The AMG sports exhaust system with two twin chrome tailpipes in the new V12 design provides the telltale AMG twelve-cylinder vocals on the new S 65 AMG. The new tri-metallic coating used in the catalytic converters provides a faster response from a cold start, improved emission control as well as longer life. Naturally the S 65 AMG fulfils all standard exhaust emissions limits such as EU4. The ultra-powerful twelve-cylinder unit takes the specific requirements of the U.S. LEV II, “On-Board Diagnosis II” and oxygen sensor diagnosis in its stride. In the AMG engine manufacturing facility, each engine is traditionally hand-built according to the “One man, one engine” philosophy. That means that each complete AMG V12 engine is assembled from start to finish by a single technician - documented with the technician’s signature on the AMG engine plate. The completely newly developed AMG high-performance composite brakes based on the ADAPTIVE BRAKE system set new standards in terms of stopping distances, sensitivity and durability.

A new twin sliding calliper is used for the front brakes, the kind of innovation people have come to expect from AMG. At the rear a large sliding frame-type calliper provides the braking. Composite brake discs at the front and rear with a diameter of 390 and 365 millimetres respectively ensure the shortest stopping distances, remarkable strength and outstanding sensitivity. The dual-circuit hydraulic braking system is controlled electronically and supports numerous driver assistance functions that improve safety and comfort. Multi-piece 19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels with mixed tyres provide the contact with the road. 255/40 ZR 19 tyres are fitted on 8.5-inch-wide wheels at the front, while 275/40 ZR 19 tyres combine with 9.5-inch-wide wheels at the rear. The drive power is transferred to the wheels in the new S 65 AMG via the AMG SPEEDSHIFT five-speed automatic transmission with AMG steering-wheel gearshift paddles and DIRECT SELECT gearshift. The conventional automatic selector lever in the centre console is replaced by a lever on the steering column, which the driver nudges to select the transmission settings “P”, “N”, “R” and “D”.

The gears can also be shifted at any time using the silver-coloured aluminium gearshift paddles on the AMG ergonomic sports steering wheel. The unrivalled 1000 Nm torque requires a systematically reinforced powertrain on the S 65 AMG. In the automatic transmission this includes newly developed clutch plates with a high-quality metallic coating and the modified shift and torque converter logic. Redesigned drive shafts, larger hub carriers as well as strengthened steel spring links supplement these measures. The AMG sports suspension with the Active Body Control system is the perfect complement to the sophisticated drive technology. The active suspension reduces almost all of the body movements that occur when moving off, negotiating bends and braking. Bends are negotiated with far less roll; the body roll with fast evasive manoeuvring is effectively suppressed. Compared with the previous model, the second-generation Active Body Control is even more effective, for instance in reducing body movements in any given driving situation.