Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid vs Porsche 918 Spyder

The Porsche 918 Spyder and Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid are not rivals. They don’t even bat in the same league. But they do have a couple of things in common. Chiefly complexity.

When it arrived back in 2013, the 918 Spyder, amongst many other things, was a technological figurehead. It not only helped pave the way for hybrid technology, but made it acceptable, desirable even.

It was always the most hybrid of the hypercars, had more pure electric assistance than the McLaren P1 and LaFerrari put together – a healthy 282bhp from its twin electric motors. It was a vastly complex research programme, and Porsche has been using the learning that they got from it ever since.

Which brings us to the Panamera. Because the programming that underpins the Panamera is now at another level, showing just how much things have moved on in less than five years. So we thought it would be fun to get the two together to, well… discuss them. OK, mainly drive them. Because you should never pass up the opportunity to have a go in the 918 Spyder.

Oh, and in case you’re wondering. During the conclusion of the film, the Panamera did 0-60mph in 3.11secs and 0-100mph in 7.2secs. It’s not slow. But neither is it a Porsche 918 Spyder.