Porsche has announced that they are beginning to take orders for the 918 Spyder hybrid supercar.

While there are no images of the production version, some design sketches have been released, and Porsche claims that it should closely resemble the concept car.

The car will be powered by a 4.0L V8 based on the one in the RS Spyder racer and developing 500 horsepower. However, as the 918 Spyder is a hybrid, it will have two electric motors (one per axle) providing an additional 218 horsepower. All of this is linked to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, propelling it from a standstill to 100 kph (62 mph) in just 3.2 seconds, and on to a top speed of 320 kph (199 mph). Porsche claims the car can get around the Nürburgring in under 7 minutes and 30 seconds.

While the 918 Spyder is certainly looking like a quick car, Porsche says it will be able to achieve up to 94 imperial mpg (78 US mpg) and emit just 70 grams of CO2 per kilometre.

It sounds like quite a package, but just 918 units will be made, and all with the sky-high price tag of 645,000 Euros (Around $918,000 USD, may vary across different markets).

However, if you want to push things even further and break the $1 million mark, Porsche, in their relentless pursuit to create as many 911 variants as possible, has also served up a special edition 911 Turbo S to celebrate the production of the 918 Spyder, dubbed the Edition 918 Spyder. Only customers of the 918 Spyder will have the opportunity to purchase this car, and so no more than 918 units are planned.

The Edition 918 Spyder will come with various acid green accents, carbon fibre elements, black rims, an “enhanced leather interior” and special instrument cluster. A plaque will be placed on the glove compartment lid, bearing the number of the 918 Spyder ordered by the customer, and the car can be ordered in the same colour as the customer’s 918. It will be offered in both coupe and cabriolet body styles.

Pricing for the special edition 911 will start at 173,241 Euros (About $246,000 USD) for the coupe and 184,546 Euros ($262,000 USD) for the cabrio. However, these figures include Germany’s 20 percent VAT, and will likely be a lot lower for North American customers.

More info, and plenty of photos, can be found below.

Press Release

918 units of exclusive future technology

Starting gun for sales of the Porsche 918 Spyder hybrid super sports car

Stuttgart. Today is the day that Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, puts on sale the 918 Spyder super sports car with its innovative plug-in hybrid drive. Production development is proceeding apace in the wake of the outstanding customer response to the concept car unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show 2010. Thanks to its unique hybrid technology, the 918 Spyder is estimated to consume a mere three litres of fuel per 100 kilometres (94 mpg imp.) based on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC). Its V8 engine delivers more than 368 kW (500 hp), assisted by two electric motors with a total of at least 160 kW (218 hp). The 918 Spyder is available for immediate order priced from 645,000 Euro – subject to VAT and country-specific charges.

To ensure a 918 Spyder’s exclusivity, the two-seater is limited to no more than 918 units. The earlier a customer orders his vehicle, the earlier it will be delivered, as production is initialised in the same sequence in which orders are received. Production of the 918 Spyder is scheduled to commence on 18 September 2013 – 9/18 in US date convention – in a quasi manufacturing operation at Porsche’s main plant in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen. Delivery of the initial vehicles will commence in November 2013.

The design’s DNA is derived from the Carrera GT and Porsche 917 sports car as well as the RS Spyder and is very closely modelled on the 2010 concept car. Unlike the concept car, however, the production version of the two-seater, based on a carbon fibre-reinforced plastic monocoque, features a manual roof system with removable roof panels that can be stowed in the front luggage compartment.

The 918 Spyder is driven by a unique type of plug-in hybrid system. It comprises a high-revving V8 engine with a displacement exceeding four litres and output of more than 368 kW (500 hp). The mid-engine power unit is based on the racing engine of the successful Porsche RS Spyder, which provided impressive proof of its efficiency with its multiple victories in the Michelin Green X Challenge in the American Le Mans Series, the Le Mans Series and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Power transmission to the rear wheels is by means of a compact, seven gear Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK). 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). This configuration offers an innovative, variable all-wheel drive with independent control of the propulsion force on both axles. The energy storage unit is 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. The charging time depends on the country-specific mains network, being approximately three hours in Germany, for example. A quick charging option is planned to reduce charging time yet further.

The 918 Spyder’s combined total fuel consumption in the NEDC (ECE-R 101) is anticipated to be 3.0 l/100 km (94 mpg imp.), equating to CO2 emissions of 70 g/km (112 g/mile). Despite that, the super sports car offers performance of the highest order. 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). That means the Spyder will be able to manage a lap of the Nürburgring Nordschleife in less than seven minutes and 30 seconds – trumping the Porsche Carrera GT, which needs seven minutes and 32 seconds. The top speed on purely electric power is 150 km/h (94 mph).

To shorten the time the customer has to wait for the 918 Spyder, Porsche is offering everyone placing an order the exclusive opportunity to acquire a 911 Turbo S “Edition 918 Spyder”, also limited to no more than 918 units. Visually, both inside and out, the special edition is inspired by the 918 Spyder’s characteristic individual features. That includes the distinctive acid green features such as the specific and part-embroidered model logos and seams, the instrument cluster needles, the specific PCM screen and illuminated door entry guards. The limited edition badge on the glove compartment lid bears the same number as the 918 Spyder the customer has ordered. The 911 Turbo S “Edition 918 Spyder” can also be ordered in the same colour.

Both the technology and basic equipment of the new 911 Turbo S “Edition 918 Spyder” are based on the 530 hp (295 kW) 911 Turbo S. In the case of the special edition, the already comprehensive standard equipment is complemented in particular by an enhanced leather interior, a special instrumentation version and additional carbon elements both inside and out.

The 911 Turbo S “Edition 918 Spyder” is being offered to coincide with the commencement of sales of the 918 Spyder with deliveries starting in June 2011. The Coupé version of the special edition costs 173,241 Euro in Germany and 184,546 Euro as a Cabriolet – including VAT and country-specific equipment items respectively.

Source: Porsche