What business does Porsche Asia Pacific have taking their million-ringgit hybrid-powered hypercar onto the former F1 circuit on a rainy night when cars like these should only be driven when the surface is bone dry and the stars aligned?
But as the brand’s halo electrified vehicle, naturally the 887 hp Porsche 918 Spyder will have to make a grand appearance at Porsche APAC’s first-ever E-Performance Night held at Porsche Experience Centre (PEC) in Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia.
The pioneering event showcased Porsche’s range of plug-in hybrid models such as the 918 Spyder, Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid, Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo as well as the Cayenne E-Hybrid, the latter making its first ever public debut in Asia Pacific. The range of electrified Porsche’s were unleashed onto a very, very wet circuit, offering participants a one-of-a-kind night racetrack experience.
The E-Performance Night was not only an opportunity to go full whack in a plug-in hybrid Porsche but also to experience how the engineers at Stuttgart had combined efficiency and performance in an everyday sports car. It also demonstrates the company’s commitment towards a cleaner future through electrification as well as paving the way for the Taycan, Porsche’s first ever pure electric vehicle that is set to debut in 2019.
Managing Director of Porsche Asia Pacific, Arthur Willmann said: “E-Performance is a core tenet of our future strategy. In 2025, we envision that around half of the new cars we sell will be electrically-powered Porsche models, whether fully-electric or hybrids. The E-Performance Nights event is the perfect way for us to demonstrate our plug-in hybrid models that embody the Porsche DNA, whether it is urban driving in Kuala Lumpur or driving on the racetrack at Sepang. Our Taycan will encapsulate all of this and more – stay tuned.”
Electrification is no doubt the way to work around tightening emission standards and slapping on a hybrid system is possibly the only way to keep the V-configuration engines alive for many more years to come. Porsche knows this well and was the first manufacturer in the premium segment to offer plug-in hybrids in three different model lines and now, we await their first-ever pure electric vehicle.
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