Porsche has thrown down the first gauntlet in the battle of hybrid supercars with the announcement that its 918 Spyder has broken the Nürburgring lap record for production cars. The record breaking time of 6 minutes and 57 seconds was set by Porsche factory driver, Marc Lieb, battering the 918's previous best of 7 minutes and 14 seconds. The hot lap was set during Porsche's test drive programme when, on the morning of September 4, Lieb, former European Rally Champion (and driving legend) Walter Röhrl and Porsche test driver Timo Kluck took to the track in cars fitted with the optional Weissach performance package. On Lieb's record breaking run he averaged nearly 180km/h on the daunting 22.8-kilometre course.
In case you have forgotten, the 918 features a full carbon chassis and high-revving 4.6-litre V8 capable of producing 615hp. This engine is supplemented by hybrid electric motors for a further 270hp - totalling 875hp.
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In unrelated news, transporter trucks have just been spotted leaving both Maranello and Woking en route to Germany. We can't think why.