In response to "overwhelming response from the public and consumers", Porsche announced Wednesday that they are giving the 918 Spyder plug-in hybrid a giant shove from concept to production.
I already have my pre-order in.
You too can be the proud pre-owner of a Spyder 918 for a mere $640,000 - after $7,500 federal tax credit. I sure am glad for that credit, otherwise it would have been just out of my budget.
According to The New York Times, "Porsche said combined a 500-horsepower V-8 and twin electric motors producing 160 kilowatts, for a combined 718 horsepower. All of the numbers for the Spyder are big, including a top speed of 198 miles per hour and a zero-to-60 time of 3.2 seconds. It will also reportedly achieve 78 miles per gallon, though obviously not with that huge V-8 at full throttle."
The exotic Spyder 918 is just the beginning of Porsche's jump into the hybrid-electric car market. "We will definitely be offering an electric sports car in future. But such a concept only makes sense if it offers product qualities typical of a Porsche," said Michael Macht, Porsche's president and CEO.
Watch out Tesla, a high-powered electric Boxster may be silently streaking down the road in your diretion in a high-end all-electric sports car game of chicken.
The Times' article also said that a 380-horespower version of the Cayenne S with a parallel hybrid system based around a supercharged V-6 is scheduled for production the fall, with a similar drivetrain version of the Panamera sedan coming next year.
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