It may be a hybrid, but customers for Porsche's 918 Spyder are unlikely to be bothered about the price of fuel when they've just shelled out about €900,000 for the privilege of owning Porsche's latest supercar.
Only 918 of the Spyders will be made, with deliveries starting in November 2013. The order book is now open and Porsche says it's filling up fast for the hybrid supercar.
A 221hp electric motor will work in conjunction with an all-new petrol V8 engine, which Porsche says will have a capacity of more than four litres and produce in excess of 500hp. Based on the same engine as used in the RS Spyder race car, power will be delivered from the mid-mounted motors through a sequential gearbox to all four wheels.
Porsche says the 918 Spyder will be able to travel over 25 kilometres on electric power alone. Charging the batteries is by domestic plug socket or by energy recirculation when the Spyder is slowing or braking.
Even with performance of 0-100km/h in 3.2 seconds, a top speed of 320km/h and a lap time around the Nürburgring of less than 7 minutes 30 seconds, the 918 Spyder will offer 94mpg average economy (3.0 litres/100km). Carbon dioxide emissions also impress at a mere 70g/km, putting this supercar into Band A for road tax and VRT.
Along with the 918 Spyder itself, Porsche is offering buyers the exclusive chance to buy a limited Edition 918 Spyder version of the 911 Turbo S. Only 918 of these 911s will be made and come with upholstery details, instruments, door trims and a unique PCM screen finished in acid green. There will also be more leather and carbon fibre than in a standard Turbo S, though the 530hp engine remains the same.