Porsche 918 hits 350km/h in the outback | video

Porsche unleashes its hybrid hypercar on derestricted Northern Territory roads. 

Since the Northern Territory government derestricted a stretch of the Stuart Highway, manufacturers have started using it for high-speed hot weather testing.

The new hybrid Honda NSX was spotted crossing the outback a few weeks ago, and now Porsche has had a go in its million dollar 918 Spyder. 

While the 918 isn’t for sale in Australia, Porsche has been using it as a (very fast) tool to promote its e-hybrid versions of the Cayenne and Panamera models. 

The 918 is the most advanced production car that Porsche has ever built.

During its outback blast the 918 travelled the first 25km of the Stuart Highway in silent emissions-free electric mode before the 4.6-litre naturally aspirated V8 was fired up at the derestriction zone. 

Porsche claim the 918 can cover around 30km at 150km/h in electric mode – making it significantly more capable than its McLaren and Ferrari rivals, the latter doesn’t even offer an electric mode. 

Over a period of around 40 seconds, the 661kW 918 went from a leisurely 60km/h to its top speed of 350km/h on the public road. 

Porsche had spotters located along the high-speed test route to ensure the run would be as safe as possible – obviously this isn’t something we recommend you attempt in your own car. 

The 918 is the most advanced production car that Porsche has ever built, packing a hybrid all-wheel drive system, active aerodynamics and carbon fiber structure.

The Porsche is powered by a 453kW 4.6-litre race-bred V8 engine which drives the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch PDK automatic gearbox.

An electric motor mounted on the front axle adds 95kW, while another electric motor mounted between the engine and rear wheels adds another 114kW. 

The total combined output is 661kW/1274Nm, enough to send the 918 to 100km/h in less than 2.8 seconds. 

Porsche also claim a phenomenal combined fuel consumption figure as low as 3.0L/100km. 

While here in Australia the 918 also lapped the Australian Grand Prix circuit with Mark Webber at the wheel and set the production car lap record at Philip Island a few weeks ago. 

The Porsche 918’s local publicity tour is now over however, and the car will soon be shipped back to Germany.