Production development is proceeding apace in the wake of the outstanding customer response to the concept car unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show 2010.

The 918 Spyder is available for immediate order priced from 645,000 Euro, and limited to no more than 918 units. Production is initialised in the same sequence in which orders are received, and scheduled to start on September 18, 2013 in a manufacturing operation at Porsche’s main plant in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen. Delivery of the initial vehicles will commence in November 2013.

The design is derived from the Carrera GT and Porsche 917 (the winner of the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1970 and 1971) as well as the RS Spyder and is very closely modelled on the 2010 concept car. The 918 Spyder is driven by a unique type of plug-in hybrid system, which proved very efficient in the ILMC events at Petit Le Mans and Zhuhai in 2010. It comprises a V8 engine with a displacement exceeding four litres and output of more than 500 hp. The mid-engine power unit is based on the racing engine of the successful Porsche RS Spyder, the winner of the LM P2 class at Le Mans in 2008 and 2009. This is complemented by two electric motors – one each on the front and rear axle – with a joint mechanical output of at least 160 kW (218 hp). It accelerates from a standing start to 100 km/h (62 mph) in a maximum of 3.2 seconds and has a top speed of more than 320 km/h (199 mph). The top speed on purely electric power is 150 km/h (94 mph).

(Based upon Porsche press information)

Photo : the racing heritage for the 918 happy owners of this very exclusive Porsche.