Electric Vehicles Present Curious Challenges to Sportscar Makers

I’m always amazed at how the auto industry continues to spin out new ideas – even at the expense of integrating concepts that, I would think, would have little chance of being seen together. Check out this video of Porsche’s new plug-in hybrid, the 918 Spyder, a car that marries a 500-HP V8 with a 218-HP electric motor. The result is a considerable rocket (0 – 62.5 MPH in 3.2 seconds). But still the messaging is rife with ecological sensitivity: “lower fuel consumption,” “lower CO2/mile,” and “one of our [Porsche’s] answers to urgent environmental concerns.”

To me, blending the concepts of high performance sportscars and eco-friendly driving is like serving chocolate sauce over tunafish, or a dill pickle spear on a bowl of strawberry ice cream.  Either one by itself is wonderful, but together they’re a bit discordant.  Most people with real concerns about the environment aren’t impressed with 700 HP.  My recommendation: don’t mince words; just go for it.