2013 Porsche 918 Spyder Hybrid Supercar

Porsche plans to limit production of the 918 Spyder model to no more than 918 units worldwide. The two-seater model will take place at Porsche’s Zuffenhausen plant in Germany starting from September 18, 2013, with delivery of the first vehicles to commence in November 2013.

By concept version, changes visible of production version from the official sketches include the addition of exterior mirrors and the elimination of the side exhaust tail pipes. Also the full open-top treatment for a manual roof system with removable roof panels that can be stowed in the front luggage compartment.

2013 Porsche 918 Spyder Hybrid Supercar is built around a carbon fibre-reinforced plastic monocoque and features a plug-in hybrid drivetrain that comprises of a V8 gasoline engine with a displacement exceeding four liters and output of more than 500HP plus two electric motors – one each on the front and rear axle – with a joint output of at least 218HP.

The V8 engine transfers its power to the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual clutch transmission.

The electric motors are fed via a liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery that can be charged from a conventional domestic power socket, delivering a range in excess of 25 km (16 miles) in the NEDC on purely electric power. Porsche said the charging time depends on the country-specific mains network, being approximately three hours in Germany. The automaker added that a quick charging option is planned to reduce charging time yet further.

The Porsche 918 Spyder Hybrid’s combined total fuel consumption in the European driving cycle is estimated at 3.0 lt/100 km (94 mpg UK / 78.4 mpg US.), equating to CO2 emissions of 70 g/km (112 g/mile). Porsche said official EPA fuel economy figures for the US model will be announced just before the first customer cars begin arriving near the end of 2013.

The car can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.2 seconds and reach a top speed of more than 320 km/h (199 mph). Porsche said the Spyder will be able to manage a lap of the Nürburgring in “less than seven minutes and 30 seconds”, compared to the Carrera GT which needs seven minutes and 32 seconds. The top speed on purely electric power is 150 km/h (94 mph).