Autoblog

Porsche 918 Spyder brochure leaks onto web [w/video]

Zach Bowman — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Hybrid, Performance, Europe, Videos, Porsche, Luxury

Porsche appears to have let slip a rash of 918 Spyder images that look to be lifted from a company brochure. The shots give us a better idea of what buyers can look forward to when they plunk down their fat stacks of cash. We are particularly smitten by the Martini livery wrap, though a Salzburg Racing exterior is also available. Those who prefer pricier paint can cough up a little over $65,000 for Liquid Metal Grey or Liquid Metal Blue finishes. The lifted images also show that the 918 Spyder will come with a clear-coat carbon fiber targa roof panel.

More importantly, the 770-horsepower Porsche hybrid supercar will bow with an optional Weissach Package. There's no word on how much the pack will cost, but it will feature six-point harnesses, upgraded brakes and a focus on saving weight wherever possible. As such, bits like the armrest, door storage, air conditioning and stereo all get the boot to cut the vehicle's curb weight by 77 pounds. Check out the gallery for a closer look, and be sure to have a peek at a new video of the 918 Spyder caught on city streets in the video below.

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Porsche 918 Spyder brochure leaks onto web [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Development of Porsche 918 supercar progressing nicely

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, Porsche

"This is most definitely not a Prius." So says ex-Autoblog staffer Damon Lavrinc in a story written for Wired. The non-Prius-esque vehicle to which he's referring? The Porsche 918.

We know all about the concept and how it stole the show at the at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. We know that interest in the plug-in hybrid supercar was so strong that Porsche pulled out all the stops to get the vehicle into its production plans as soon as possible. We know it will cost $845,000 and be able to hit 60 miles per hour in a scant 3.1 seconds. What we hadn't known until now, though, is how far along into its development Porsche's team of engineers had gotten.

It seems there are currently three 918 development mules in existence, and Lavrinc got to ride shotgun at the Nardo Test Track in one of them. Though it was limited to half its available power - full power being a generous 770 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque with an overboost offering up to 700 lb-ft for short periods - it was still an exciting ride, and it's telling that Porsche was confident enough in its Franken-mule to allow anyone to go on record this far ahead of September 18, 2013, the car's official launch date.

We suggest you head on over to Wired to peruse the full article, and feel free to mosey on back to let us know what you think of the 918's potential.

Development of Porsche 918 supercar progressing nicely originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How Porsche dealers will order the 918 Spyder

Aaron Richardson — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 18:29:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Performance, Porsche, Earnings/Financials

Porsche 918 Hybrid - Click above for dealer ordering information

Getting a 918 Spyder out of Porsche's supercar death-grip is going to take some serious doing. First of all, you have to come up with the $845,000 Porsche is asking for the car in the U.S. and Canada, not including destination charges. Once you've gotten over that little hurdle, you'll need to find a Porsche dealer authorized to sell the 918.

According to Porsche, you can buy a 918 Spyder from any Porsche dealer anywhere in the world, provided they've signed a participation agreement with Porsche. Details are few and far between on what that agreement entails. What Porsche is saying, though, is how dealers who sign the agreement will order their cars.

Dealers who want to place an order for a 918 will have to submit an "Allocation Request Form." Porsche will reply with an "Allocation Response Form," which tells the dealer whether there's a car available for them. Once that's done, the dealer submits an order form, along with a $200,000 down payment. Porsche will respond with a confirmation and an estimated month for production.

The next step is another $200,000 deposit 12 months before the production date. The balance - $445,000 plus shipping, if you're counting - is due when Porsche says the car is done. Porsche says the car will not be shipped until it has been paid for in full. The reason, apparently, is that it won't be building any of the hyper-expensive 918s on speculation, and that each car needs to have an owner before it is built.

Despite all that rigamarole, we'll bet Porsche sells out of these things quickly, even if the production shape is yet to surface. Thanks for the tip, Anon!

Gallery: Porsche 918 Hybrid dealer information

Gallery: Porsche 918 Spyder

[Source: Porsche]

How Porsche dealers will order the 918 Spyder originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Mar 2011 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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