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Porsche 918 Spyder to get more power when it reaches production?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 18:57:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, Porsche

Porsche 918 Spyder - Click above for high-res image gallery

What could be better than a mid-engine Porsche with a 500-horsepower 3.4-liter V8 and an additional 218 ponies courtesy of a pair of electric motors? More power, obviously. And that's exactly what a report from Autocar alleges is going to take place for the upcoming 918 Spyder. According to the report, Porsche is said to be enlarging the displacement of the gas-swilling engine in order to extract more grunt from the mill.

The Brit pubs goes on to posit that the production 918 Spyder, which was first seen moving under its own power at Pebble Beach, will sport both soft and hard tops along with a somewhat beefier front end in order to provide adequate crash resistance. Also, somewhat predictably, the concept's 22-inch wheels are very likely to be downsized and the side exhausts may be rerouted to the rear when the hybrid supercar hits the market.

Assuming all goes according to schedule, Porsche is said to be planning a run of about 1,200 918 Spyders, each costing over $625,000 (£400,000) when it finally goes on sale sometime around 2014.

Gallery: Monterey 2010: Porsche 918 Spyder at Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

Photos copyright (C)2010 Frank Filipponio/AOL
[Source: Autocar]

Porsche 918 Spyder to get more power when it reaches production? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Aug 2010 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BREAKING: Porsche approves 918 Spyder for production

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 11:32:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Hybrid, Porsche, Electric

Porsche 918 Spyder concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

As expected, the Porsche supervisory board has approved the development of the 918 Spyder concept into a series production model. The 918 debuted as a concept at this year's Geneva Motor Show with a plug-in hybrid powertrain claimed to provide 78 miles per gallon.

The concept used a 500-horsepower V8 along with a pair of electric motors with 109 hp each and a lithium ion battery that can provide 16 miles of emissions-free driving from grid energy. The powertrain is not expected to be changed much for production and Porsche has not announced when 918 will be available. There has been speculation that the production model could cost up to €500,000 (about $650,000 USD), although if it comes to the States, it should be eligible for a federal tax credit. Even with up to $7,500 it still makes the Chevrolet Volt look downright cheap.

Before you start looking in your couch cushions for a down payment, check out the official press release after the jump and our high-res gallery below.

Gallery: Porsche 918 Spyder concept

[Source: Porsche]

Continue reading BREAKING: Porsche approves 918 Spyder for production

BREAKING: Porsche approves 918 Spyder for production originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Jul 2010 11:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Thirteen-year-old renders Porsche 918 RSR racer

Zach Bowman — Tue, 25 May 2010 20:29:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, Porsche, Design/Style, Racing

2013 Porsche 918 RSR Renderings - Click above for high-res image gallery

Like most of the motoring world, our automotive lives really got off the ground at age 13. We suddenly realized that in just three short years, we would be legally allowed to drive our very own cars, and that revelation started a chain reaction of magazines, posters and models that eventually led to our first set of keys. We may have even been known to sketch a barely recognizable dream car or two. We weren't, however, cranking out professional-grade renderings of a Le Mans version of the Porsche 918 Spyder Concept.

Here's the deal: Team Speed forum user PorscheCarreraGTMay6 has been so kind as to share his vision of what a genuine Porsche hybrid racer might look like. That's all fine and good. After all, the internet is awash with plenty of Photoshopped what-ifs, but what makes these really special is that A) the person claims to be 13 years-old and B) the renders are drop-dead gorgeous and C) there's a good chance we're going to see a 918 Spyder racer within the next few years. The user even cranked out a YouTube video and a solid description of the reasoning behind the model.

You can check out the full forum thread here, and be sure to hop the jump to see the video for yourself. Keep your eyes out. If this kid is actually 13 years-old, they're going to set the auto world on fire.

Gallery: 2013 Porsche 918 RSR Renderings

[Source: Team Speed]

Continue reading Thirteen-year-old renders Porsche 918 RSR racer

Thirteen-year-old renders Porsche 918 RSR racer originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 May 2010 20:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Porsche highlights Intelligent Performance of 918 Spyder, 911 GT3 R Hybrid

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 19:24:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Convertible, Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Porsche, Electric, Racing

Porsche 918 Spyder at the track - Click above to watch the video after the break

No doubt about it, the Porsche 918 Sypder was both one of the biggest surprises of the Geneva Motor Show and one of its most memorable vehicles. No surprise, then, that the German automaker has signaled its desire to put the hybrid sportscar into production.

Speaking of which, Porsche is once again hinting at its production goals for the 918 Spyder with a latest advertising campaign, calling the sportscar "The future of motorsport and series production." Doesn't get much more straightforward than that, eh? To go along with the new round of marketing, Porsche has released a new video that offers a bit more information about its showstopper, which you can find after the break.

In addition, there's a second video highlighting Porsche's new 911 GT3 R Hybrid, which managed an impressive sixth-place finish in its racing debut last weekend. Wanna see for yourself? Click past the break to watch both videos from Porsche.

Gallery: Porsche 918 Spyder concept

Gallery: Geneva 2010: Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid

[Source: Porsche]

Continue reading Video: Porsche highlights Intelligent Performance of 918 Spyder, 911 GT3 R Hybrid

Video: Porsche highlights Intelligent Performance of 918 Spyder, 911 GT3 R Hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Apr 2010 19:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Porsche building business case for 918 Spyder

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 19:55:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Hybrid, Performance, Porsche

Porsche 918 Spyder Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

If you build it, they will come. That's our advice to Porsche regarding a production version of the 918 Spyder Concept that wowed attendees at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this month. Somehow, though, we'd imagine that the German automaker would want a more solid business case than our personal opinions. Good news, then.

Rumor has it that Porsche is actively working with its dealers to find enough buyers ready and willing to plunk down their hard-earned dollars on the next halo car from the quintessential sportscar maker. Porsche R&D chief Wolfgang Dürheimer says that the company would be rather pleased "if customer feedback is positive and we end up over time with about 1,000 firm orders."

If Porsche were to put its hybrid 918 Spyder into limited production, it wouldn't be without precedent. Back in the early 2000s, Porsche used a similar tactic to put its awesome Carrera GT on the market... and we all know how that turned out. As we said before: If you build it, they will come. Trust us. Oh, and there's a bunch of new images in our high-res gallery below... just in case you're in the market for a new desktop background.

Gallery: Porsche 918 Spyder concept

[Source: Automobile]

Report: Porsche building business case for 918 Spyder originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Mar 2010 19:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Porsche really, really wants to build 918 Spyder. Really.

Steven J. Ewing — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:38:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Hybrid, Performance, Porsche

Porsche 918 Spyder Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

We still haven't stopped drooling over the Porsche 918 Spyder concept, a car that debuted at this year's Geneva Motor Show. It's a sexy infusion of both Boxster and Carrera GT influences, with a dash of hybrid power thrown in for good measure. What's not to love about a 500-horsepower, V8-powered roadster that can hit 62 mph in just 3.2 seconds? Oh, and did we mention that, because of its additional electric motors, Porsche claims that the 918 can also achieve up to 78 miles per gallon? We highly approve.

According to Autocar, we aren't the only ones swooning over the 918. In fact, Porsche is apparently fully committed to building a serial version of the Spyder. No official confirmation has been made, but in speaking to Autocar, Porsche boss Michael Macht says, "There is no one inside Porsche who doesn't want to build the 918," later adding, "The 918 Spyder proves the answer to whether there can be high-performance cars in the future." If this concept does get the green light for production, we could likely see it hit the streets within the next five years. We'll do our best to remain patient.

Gallery: Porsche 918 Spyder concept

Gallery: Geneva 2010: Porsche 918 Spyder Concept

[Source: Autocar]

Report: Porsche really, really wants to build 918 Spyder. Really. originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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