We talked about the upcoming Porsche 918 Spyder just a few posts back, and here is the first bunch of spy shots showing us a prototype caught on film while testing in Germany. The pictured model sports the new, almost-definitive livery of the 918 Spyder even though the model is not supposed to make its debut on the markets until the second half of the next year.

Some people consider this car as the spiriutal successor of the iconic Carrera GT (that was listed in Porsche’s line-up some ten years ago) and just like the Carrera GT, the 918 Spyder will have a removable top, that by chance is open in the pictures. As previously stressed out, the 918 Spyder will be a hybrid supercar powered by a 4.6-litre V8 credited with an output of 570 hp, a 109 hp electric motor at the front and a 120 hp electric motor at the rear: in other words, the 918 Spyder is expected to deliver close to or more than 800 hp.

With a price tag expected to be in the 660,000 € area (roughly 530,000 £ / 850,000 $) this will not be the sort of car that you will be able to see at every corner, but since it is believed that only 918 units will be produced, chances are that you will only get to see it live at some motor show next fall and that’s it.

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It reminds us of the Porsche 917 racer, and this is something that makes its birth even more exciting: the new Porsche 918 Spyder - which the German manufacturer describes as a “super sports car” - is still undergoing testing at the Nardò ring in Italy (as we reported in a previous post) but the news is that the model is finally sporting its real body work, which is thought to be pretty close to what will be the final design of the car.

The model is a sportscar pushed by a plug-in hybrid powertrain that includes a 4.6-litre V8 petrol engine delivering 578 hp and two electric motors: the first one produces 122 hp and is located within the 7-speed automatic gearbox, while the other one, producing 109 hp, is in charge of delivering extra traction to the rear axle. The combined power of these units should provide the model with a total output of about 780 hp, with a maximum torque of 769 Nm that can go up to 948 Nm when in overboost. Impressive numbers that should provide for impressive performance figures: 0-100 km/h (62 mph) sprint time of about 3 seconds, 0-200 km/h (124 mph) in about 9 secs and a top speed in the 325 km/h (202 mph). Almost needless to say, this car is bound to set new standards for the whole category.

Porsche claims that the model is currently being tested in order to find a right balance between its electric and mechanical power sources, a compromise solution that would provide the car with its own personality. Besides, the engineers and technicians working on the prototypes are also trying to keep consumption and emissions down to a minimum without affecting its performance, an aspect that they are definitely not overlooking. Other highlights of the model will include a CFRP safety frame, active aerodynamics and two flashy exhaust outlets placed right behind your head: check them out in our pics. The model is expected to debut in its final form in September 2013.

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The Porsche 918 Spyder is taking its first steps on the track: the Zuffenhausen cutting edge prototype has been test driven on the speed track Nardo Ring. The model, one of only three existing, is fitted with a 4.6-litre V8 petrol engine with 578 hp maximum power, supplied by the RS Spyder race car. This engine is assisted by two electric motors: a 122hp one, installed in the 7-speed gearbox, and a 109 hp unit, that powers the front axle.

Overall, the maximum power is around 800 hp, while torque is 749 Nm, but it reaches 948 with overboost. Thanks to the spectacular output the Spyder 918 Series can eat up the 0-100 km/h in about 3 seconds, the 0-200 km/h in under 9 seconds with a top speed of 325 km/h. It can also travel up to 145 km/h driven by electric motors only. This hybrid supercar features a 6.8 kWh battery that allows it to travel up to 26 km on electricity alone. The recharging is done in 3 hours with a 220V charger. Porsche technicians, however, are exploring ways to reduce the recharge time to 20 minutes.

The components are not fully defined yet, but the new flagship model will have a frame made of aluminum and carbon fibre, weighing just 220kg, while the overall weight of the vehicle should be around 1680 kg. We will have to wait until the 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show for its official debut.

Continue reading: Porsche 918 Spyder: test drive on the Nardo Ring

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The business case for a Porsche supercar to be placed above the 911 but below the 918 Spyder is being considered by the company according to reports from Autocar. The model would appear in the same price range as cars such as the Ferrari 458 Italia and http://www.eurocarblog.com/tag/mclaren+mp4-12c, given Porsche a true competitor in the supercar segment.

Autocar cites a “recent interview” (in an unnamed publication) in which Mathias Muller says that in extending the Porsche range they are looking at a vehicle to sit above the 911. It would become a regular Porsche supercar and not a special or limited edition model. This would mean the Porsche 911 Turbo would no longer be the company’s standard, road-going top model.

The new Porsche supercar is beyond just the drawing board stage but no real business case has been made. Both the design and economic elements of the equation still need to be evaluated. To keep the supercar in competition with recent Ferrari, Lamborghini and McLaren models, a new carbon fibre-reinforced plastic chassis will be considered to keep weight down.

Continue reading: New Porsche supercar to compete with Ferrari and McLaren?

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The Porsche 918 Spyder hybrid model will be one expensive piece of Porsche kit and is expected to cost €645,000, taxes excluded. The 918 Spyder is expect for a 2013 market delivery date and each model is being built on a pre-order basis, meaning customers will have to line up early and get their deposits in with each model pre-destined to a lucky owner.

The 918 Spyder final production version hasn’t been developed so far, but it is likely to be similar to the concept. The mechanics are nothing short of impressive, with a V8 hybrid engine, two electric motors with plug-in hybrid system and a recharge time of just three hours. It can run on electric power alone for a range of about 25 km.

But beyond the environmental stuff is the fact that Porsche is building genuine hybrid supercars. The 918 Spyder will have 500 hp off the traditional engine alone, plus another 218 hp provided by the electric motors. So far Porsche has releaseed a top speed of 320 km/hr and a sprint to 100 km/hr of just 3.2 seconds. Official fuel consumption and CO2 emissions haven’t been released, but we gather it will be about 3 l/100 km for the former, and 70 g/km for the latter.

Continue reading: Porsche 918 Spyder ready for production

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