Porsche 918 Detailed Further As Prototype Comes Into The Light
Porsche has revealed new details and images of its upcoming 918 hybrid supercar, just days after its race-painted prototype was spied testing in Europe.
Sporting subtly evolved styling, a targa hardtop and the 911's slim new taillights, the 
Porsche has revealed new details and images of its upcoming 918 hybrid supercar, just days after its race-painted prototype was spied testing in Europe.
Sporting subtly evolved styling, a targa hardtop and the 911's slim new taillights, the 'spied' car reveals that much of the original concept's look will carry over into production.
The German sports marque has also confirmed that the production 918 will utilise a V8 petrol engine displacing more than 4.0 litres, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and an electric motor at each axle.
Combined, Porsche claims the system will produce upwards of 575kW, while consuming as little as 3.0 l/100km - thanks largely to the electric motors, which may also allow around 25km of electric-only driving.
The 918 is expected to list a scorching 0-100km/h time of 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 320km/h, although Porsche stresses that as far as production specification goes, these figures are still to be confirmed.
The electric motors will also offer the benefit of all-wheel-drive stability, giving the 918 even more ammunition to battle Lamborghini's all-paw Aventador.
Other features include a brake-energy recuperation system to enhance the battery pack's charging, along with electro-mechanical steering that will include individual rear wheel steering.
Suspension will include double wishbones at the front, with a multi-link arrangement at the rear.
These new details come on the back of earlier news that pointed to a 4.6 litre capacity for the V8 engine, while an exclusive drive-day with US magazine Wired suggested a 0-100km/h time even sharper than 3.0 seconds.
Porsche has also confirmed that the first customer deliveries of the 918 will commence before the end of 2013.
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