A Porsche 918 Spyder has hit its top speed of 350km/h on a section of the Northern Territory’s open speed highway.

TOURING AUSTRALIA, a Porsche 918 Spyder has been taken to the Northern Territory for a top speed run, hitting 350km/h on an open speed section of highway north of Alice Springs. According to Porsche Australia, “the 918 Spyder, completed a remarkable feat in the Australian Outback on the one stretch of road north of Alice Springs – driving the first 25 kilometres out of the city centre on electric power alone before unleashing all 652 kW of power from its electric motors and racing V8 engine to reach a top speed of 350 km/h”.  Porsche race driver Craig Baird was at the wheel.

Porsche claims the transition from running at 60km/h on electric power to 350km/h (V-Max) took just 40 seconds. “The controlled test took place with a professional driver at the wheel on the only public road in Australia where such a feat is possible – the Northern Territory’s section of straight, open speed highway. The use of radios and spotters ensured the road was completely devoid of traffic at the time,” Porsche said.

In full-electric ‘E-Power‘ mode the 918 Spyder can drive for up to 30 kilometres at speeds up to 150km/h through twin electric motors developing maximum power of 210kW at 6500 rpm. In ‘Race Hybrid‘ mode the electric motors work in conjunction with the racing-inspired 4.6-litre V8 petrol engine (447kW at 8700 rpm) to deliver maximum total power output of 652kW at 8500rpm.

The 918 Spyder is in the final days of an Australia wide promotional tour showcasing ‘Porsche E-Mobility‘; having visited the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne before its Australian Outback test.