the ‘porsche 918 spyder’ is the car company’s first hybrid sportscar

on the occasion of the vehicle’s first driving trials, porsche has just released new photographs of its hybrid ‘918 spyder’, offering the performance of a sportscar but with a fuel economy of about 78mpg (3 L / 100 km). the vehicle’s exterior references the historic porsche ‘917’ racing cars.

first announced in 2010 at the geneva motor show, the plug-in vehicle is porsche’s first hybrid. it features a 4.6-litre V8 engine with lithium-ion battery and hybrid train, capable of attaining 770-horsepower. carbon fibre reinforced plastics (CFRP) compose the 2-seater chassis, which is covered by a two-piece targa roof.

the ‘918 spyder’ exceeds 200mph (322 km/hr) in combined mode, accelerating from 0-60mph (0 – 100 km/hr) in under three seconds. in purely electric mode, the car attains over 90mph (145 km/hr). its CO2 emissions in combined mode are limited to 70 g/km.

the ‘porsche 918 spyder’ is planned for production in september 2013.

porsche 918 spyder hybrid sportscar - 2 3/4 front view during test drive

porsche 918 spyder hybrid sportscar - 3 3/4 rear view

porsche 918 spyder hybrid sportscar - 4 3/4 aerial profile

porsche 918 spyder hybrid sportscar - 5 rear view

porsche 918 spyder hybrid sportscar - 6 original 2010 concept sketch for the ‘918 spyder’

porsche 918 spyder hybrid sportscar - 7 ‘918 spyder’ ghost (2010): 1 – power electronics; 2 – electric drive; 3 – lithium ion battery; 4 – V8 high RPM engine; 5 – porsche doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) 7-speed transmission; 6 – electric motor; 7 – power electronics