It wasn't just the Porsche 918 Spyder and the Rimac Concept One that raced against each other. For the battle was way deeper than that, between the very technologies that powered each supercar.
While the Concept One got its motive power from something as ubiquitous as electricity, the Spyder, on the other hand, is powered by what shaped the very existence of automobiles of today, the good old gas guzzling, hydrocarbon welching and wailing internal combustion engines of yore.
Also at stake was the decades old Porsche reputation of being a sports car maker par excellence. In contrast, the Croatia based Rimac is just a start-up that has only started to chart its course in the annals of automotive history. But it has already etched far and deep. And if anyone needed proof, the recent drag race between the two that saw the Rimac race ahead of the Spyder should be enough of that, Electrek reported.
Coming to the states, the Rimac comes with an electric motor driving each of its wheels which make for a combined output of 1073 hp and 1180 lb-ft of torque. The zero to 62 mph come up in just 2.6 secs and has a top whack of 221 mph.
The Porsche too makes the same timing thanks to its hybrid setup comprising of a 4593cc V8 and two electric motors for a combined power rating of 875 bhp. All of that makes the contest so much more interesting, more so considering that the 918 Spyder carries with it the enviable distinction of being the fastest production supercar.
Unfortunately for Porsche fans, the end result isn't quite what they might have expected. For the Rimac went on to zip past the Spyder challenge comprehensively each time that the two raced against each other at the Milan Dragway in Michigan. Even though the Porsche seemed to have a slight edge for a few precious seconds just off the block, it is the Rimac that prevailed in the end.
Mention can also be made of the latest P100D Tesla Model S sedan that too had hit headlines off late with it's zero to 60 mph timing of 2.5 secs, a timing that used to be the exclusive of supercars so far. Maybe, we are well into the age of electric powered cars though the distinction between supercars and electric cars too might be a thing of the past soon.
See Now: OnePlus 6: How Different Will It Be From OnePlus 5?
