2013 Audi A3

Porsche 918 Spyder Nears 1,000-Buyer Production Threshold

 
1 3,598 views Apr 26, 2010
Follow Nelson

Porsche 918 Spyder Concept

HI-RES GALLERY: Porsche 918 Spyder Concept

Porsche has already said it wants to produce the 918 Spyder Concept, a 500-horsepower, 198-mph V-8/electric hybrid. But a report today says Porsche has received almost 900 serious inquiries from potential buyers, pushing the car very close to the unofficial 1,000-buyer threshold necessary to justify Porsche's investment in actually building the vehicle.

It's no surprise, really--the 918 Spyder is stunning, and a seemingly impossible combination of power, efficiency and performance. The 3.4-liter V-8 engine and 218-horsepower electric motor deliver all-wheel drive, 3.2-second 0-60 mph times and a Nordschleife lap time expected to lie somewhere south of 7 minutes, 30 seconds--bordering on Corvette ZR1 and Dodge Viper times.

A PDK dual-clutch gearbox handles the variously-sourced power, and a range of driving modes suit the car's output to the situation at hand. Up to 16 miles can be traversed on electricity alone, or full power can be applied for maximum performance.

The news of the 918 Spyder's near-production status came from the floor of the Beijing Auto Show, where Porsche's head of development Wolfgang Duerheimer told Bloomberg that Porsche needs "1,000 seriously interested people to make a sound business case." He's also confident that number will soon be reached.

[Bloomberg BusinessWeek]





Tags:
Posted in:
 
Contribute
Send us a tip Comment Contact the editor
Follow Us

 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

  • Posting indicates you have read this site's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • Notify me when there are more comments
Comment (1)

  1. By R2Dad Posted: 4/26/2010 3:04pm PDT

    It's the first performance hybrid, something enthusiasts can proudly drive while silencing the braying masses of self-righteous Prius owners. Porsche's problem is it will only matter if they can sell enough hybrids, since an exclusive GT-priced vehicle won't make enough of an impact on the new Fed requirements for 2016. My question is what is Porsche's overall hybrid strategy? Does this concept use the KERS system like the GT3 R? Will hybrids be associated with specific models or available as an option on other Porsches? If this is their only production hybrid, they should consider a lower-priced version without those aggressive side-pipes, then a twin turbo version with. If that cool flywheel is on board, would love to see a cut-out with viewing window, maybe on the hood? (reminds me of this: http://hotwheels.wikia.com/wiki/Whip_Creamer) That way you can switch from planet-saving mileage to track-bashing power at will. All-of-a-sudden hybrids aren't so tree-huggingly dorky anymore.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

Connect with Facebook

Motor Authority. Now with your friends.

Discover stories your friends read.
Share stories more easily.
You control what you share.
Learn more

Research New Cars

Go!


More from High Gear Media

 
 
MotorAuthority
  • Follow Us
  • Twiiter
  • Facebook
 
 
© 2011 MotorAuthority. All Rights Reserved. MotorAuthority is published by High Gear Media. Stock photography by Homestar, LLC. Send us feedback.