Martini Porsche 918 Spyder

Some racing liveries manage to become so familiar that an immediate association is made with the sponsor, even if no logos are visible.

Take for example the pale blue and orange Gulf colour scheme, or the black and gold John Player Special paintjob. Indeed, the latter was so synonymous with Lotus Formula 1 cars of the 1970s and 1980s that it is used by the modern interpretation of that team today, despite there being no links to the tobacco firm.

The multi-coloured stripes and white bodywork of Martini Racing is another case in point. It will be known to many thanks to various Lancia World Rally Championship contenders, but for others their recognition comes from the numerous factory Porsche sports cars that first appeared almost forty years ago.

Now the Stuttgart manufacturer has renewed its links with Martini, but not for a racing programme. Instead, the colours have been applied to the 918 Spyder as it enters the next stage of its development, and they certainly suit the compact yet curvaceous form of Porsche’s new plug-in hybrid.

Porsche 918 Spyder Prototype (2012) Front Side 1
Porsche 918 Spyder Prototype (2012) Rear Side
Porsche 918 Spyder Prototype (2012) Front Side 2

With a combined output of 759 bhp (566 kW / 770 PS) from its 4.6 litre V8 engine, rear axle hybrid module and front axle electric motor, Porsche is aiming for a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time of under 3.0 seconds and a top speed of over 200 mph (325 km/h).

To put that kind of performance into perspective, the 918 Spyder’s target for a lap of the Nürburgring Nordschleife is a very quick seven minutes and twenty-two seconds.

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Porsche 918 Spyder is go

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