In Fine Form

CHRISTOPHORUS | 355 CHRISTOPHORUS | 355 IN FINE FORM Th e race-car material CRP, a carbon fi ber-reinforced plastic, lends striking properties to the Porsche 918 Spyder: low chassis weight, high torsional stiff ness, and outstanding driving dynamics. By Eckhard Eybl Photo by Steffen Jahn verly intense fl ashes can elicit the in a central position close to the center of carbon monocoque was just over fi ve days. In brilliance of diamonds from gravity, along with other components of creating the 918 Spyder prototype, however, the material CRP. When the the intelligent hybrid system. For its part, the development team took its cues from the O dark carbon structures refl ect the carbon fi ber is called upon to balance race-car pacing of the development center in the fl ashes of light like mirrors, out the roughly 300 kilograms (660 lbs.) Weissach. Th e time between approval of the the exquisite carbon fi ber-reinforced plastic of extra weight in such elegant fashion that data to delivery of the fi rst parts is roughly as sparkles like a fl awless jewel. this technological heavyweight tips the scales fast as for the successful American Le Mans as a trim middleweight. race car RS Spyder. What is it that transforms the carbon fi ber monocoque into a Porsche? Design, construc- Beyond black brilliance, the extraordinary Anyone who sprints off the blocks like that tion, and production, as always. CRP sets off properties of the carbon fi ber-reinforced com- should keep a heady speed right through to the into the next generation in the 918 Spyder, posite plastic CRP coalesce in exceptional fi nish line. Th anks to a refi ned integral RTM away from the carbon fi ber tub function in stiff ness and stability. Porsche adopts a prac- process, Porsche can now produce fi ve to seven playful shades of black. In addition to the tice common in race-car design by think- carbon monocoques for the 918 Spyder each monocoque, the load-bearing structure of the ing of driving dynamics from the inside out, day. Th e process requires an elaborate, six- 918 includes the front suspension supports, the that is, from the monocoque and chassis. part steel tool the size of a room to unite the frame for the engine and the rear axle, and a Th eir high torsional stability in conjunction exclusivity of hand-laminated preforms with function plate in the rear—all of it, naturally, with the equally high connection stiff ness of highly precise manufacturing. manufactured entirely of carbon fi ber. the suspension is indispensable for a stable suspension geometry. Th e carbon and monocoque, as they’re known in the lingo, enable the 918 Spyder to achieve driving dynam- When you go to as much trouble to save THE CARBON “Th e functional integration of our carbon fi ber ics that raise the performance-standard bar weight as Porsche has with the 918 Spyder, you MONOCOQUE OF THE chassis is much greater even than in the now- once again. don’t want to ruin the eff ect with superfl uous PORSCHE 918 SPYDER WILL HAVE THE legendary super sports car Porsche Carrera GT appointments. Th e hybrid super sports car JUDGES REACHING or current competitors,” note the experts One of the fi ndings from previous sports-car comes without such accessories as interior FOR SUPERLATIVES. on the 918 Spyder core team, Eduard Ene, projects with carbon monocoques, the Carrera upholstery or fl oor mats. But wherever possible, Martin Schromm, and Oliver Stoff els. Th e GT and the LMP2 race car RS Spyder, was the surfaces are refi ned with visible carbon 918 Spyder has to accommodate two energy the signifi cance of speed. For the V10 mid- that can sparkle like a polished diamond. depots, the fuel tank, and the battery unit, engine sports car, production time for a single 918 carats’ worth. 40 41.

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