Yesterday, Porsche unveiled the 918 Spyder in production form and now we’ve gotten our hands on even more photos of the hybrid supercar.

Powered by a mid-mounted, 4.6-liter V8 mated to a pair of electric motors, the 918 Spyder makes 887 hp and accelerates to 62 mph in just 2.8 seconds. To bring it up to supercar status is a monocoque carbon fiber shell helping bring the vehicle to a respectable 3,615 pounds.

SEE GALLERY: Porsche 918 Spyder Detailed in Production Form

For a true driving experience, the 918 Spyder offers five different drive modes: E-Power, Hybrid, Sport Hybrid, Race Hybrid, and Hot Lap. As you can tell, the German automaker is not shying away from the fact that its latest supercar is a hybrid.

Best of all, nothing about the 918 Spyder’s styling shows that it’s supposed to be a hybrid. But in reality, the term hybrid isn’t exactly pairing up with being eco-friendly anymore; automakers are turning to the alternative powertrain to enhance performance of their vehicles without sacrificing fuel efficiency.

GALLERY: Porsche 918 Spyder

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Porsche has finally divulged all of the specs and information on the production-ready version of its 918 Spyder supercar, along with a gallery of photos showing the car in its production form. 

This car was designed from the ground up specifically to house the brand’s plug-in hybrid drive system. That electric system, comprised of two electric motors with lithium-ion batteries, combined with a mid-mounted 4.6-liter V8 make 887 hp, hustling the car to 62 mph in 2.8 seconds. The engine is mated to Porsche’s dual-clutch seven-speed transmission  Top speed is officially rated at 211 mph.

A monocoque carbon fiber shell serves as the entire load-bearing structure, and is one of the major influences in the car’s 1,640 kg (3615 lbs) unladen weight. To help the lightweight car handle, the 918 uses an adaptive shock absorber system and rear-axle steering. That rear-axle steering system adjusts depending on the speeds of the car. At low the speeds, the rear wheels will turn in the opposite direction as the fronts, while at high speeds all four wheel will turn together.

Five different drive modes will available with the 918: E-Power, Hybrid, Sport Hybrid, Race Hybrid and Hot Lap. Each mode affects not only the drivetrain, but also the attack angle of the rear wing and the adjustable air intakes.

SEE ALSO: Porsche 918 Spyder Pricing

E-Power mode does its best to keep the car operating on just electricity, which Porsche says will propel the 918 about 18 miles. Hybrid mode lets all of the motors work in conjunction with one another to achieve maximum fuel efficiency. Sport Hybrid mode keeps the gasoline engine engaged at all times, while using the hybrid system for boost in certain situations.

Lastly, there is two different race modes, Race Hybrid and Hot Lap. Race Hybrid activates the highest level of 918 performance, using the gas engine as its sole power source, and only charging the electric motors when the car isn’t under full load. The stored up electric boost is also only used at max power for shorter periods of time compared to Sport Hybrid Mode. While in Race Hybrid mode, you can activate Hot Lap, which pushes the traction battery to its maximum power output limits for just a few laps.

For customers who want the best out of their 918, there is the optional Weissach Package, which adds special colors and design along with carbon fiber parts. Weight reduction is a priority for the Weissach package, which manages to shave off about 35 kg (77 lb).

The Porsche 918 Spyder will compete with the like of the Ferrari LaFerrari and Mclaren P1, both of which also use a hybrid drivetrain.

GALLERY: Porsche 918 Spyder

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Porsche is celebrating the 100,000th Panamera leaving its plant in Leipzig, Germany, reaching a production milestone that underscores the Panamera’s success.

The Porsche Panamera is sold in over 120 countries and the 100,000th vehicle was a new Panamera S E-Hybrid finished on Rhodium Silver Metallic. The milestone vehicle drove off the assembly line and through a paper wall that was signed by employees beforehand.

SEE ALSO: 2014 Porsche Panamera Gets Gorgeous Photo Gallery

“In over 120 countries, Panamera customers drive a Porsche that is “Made in Leipzig” and sport this quality seal around the globe. The team and I are very proud of this,” said Siegfried Bülow, Chairman of the Board of Porsche Leipzig GmbH.

The new Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid has a combined system output of 416 hp and accelerates to 62 mph in 5.5 seconds. The Porsche Panamera has been in production since 2009.

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Porsche has designed a new hybrid module that will fit into all of its future cars, suggesting that all Porsche models in its lineup will inevitably have a hybrid variant.

The module, which combines an electric motor and clutches in one unit will reduce fuel consumption while driving at normal speeds. The first phase of Porsche’s hybridization efforts is shown off in the new plug-in Panamera, where the German automaker’s engineers reduced the “revolutions per kilometer” of the engine.

SEE ALSO: 2014 Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid Starts at $99,000

The next phase, which is due in 2016-2017, Porsche models will interact more intelligently with its environment by using data from a variety of sources, such as detailed road maps. By analyzing data such as inclines and corners, Porsche models will select the correct driving mode for the circumstances, maximizing fuel efficiency and performance.

The new hybrid module will be both water- and air-cooled and will be more powerful than the 94-hp hybrid electric motor that will be used in the upcoming plug-in Panamera, which is set to hit dealerships this summer. The automaker is also working on an induction charging system that can be used in home garages.

And in case you’re thinking the 911 range isn’t getting hybridized, it is.

[Source: Autocar UK]

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With all the attention the Ferrari LaFerrari and the McLaren P1 have received in recent months, it’s hard to forget that Porsche is working on its own hybrid supercar, the 918 Spyder.

Powered by a 4.6-liter V8 paired with an electric motor, the 918 Spyder will pack 875 hp and accelerate to 62 mph in 3.2 seconds. But according to the German automaker, it’s the 918 Spyder’s technology that will allow it to be faster than its European counterparts in certain conditions, despite being a heavier vehicle.

SEE ALSO: Porsche 918 Spyder Still Available

The 918 sports torque vectoring and independently-driven front wheels, allow it to “maintain better drive and achieve higher entry and mid-corner speed,” according to James Eastwood, Porsche’s product manager. The Porsche 918 Spyder is expected to weigh in at around 3,750 pounds, though a lightweight Weissach package will be available to knock off around 110 pounds.

Though the 918 Spyder isn’t sold out yet, Porsche is still confident that it’ll have no issues selling them all. Eastwood didn’t reveal any actual sales figures, but did mention that half the orders placed so far have opted for the Weissach package.

[Source: CAR]

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The next-generation Porsche 911 GT2 Turbo will reportedly pack 552 hp from its 3.8-liter, twin-turbocharged, flat-six engine. 

The sports car will be based on the 911 Turbo once again and is scheduled to make its official debut at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show. Its powerplant will be mated to a dual-clutch automatic gearbox and is expected to hit 62 mph in close to 3 seconds.

SEE ALSO: 2014 Porsche GT3 Photos: Live from the Geneva Motor Show

The new GT2 will also dump its four-wheel drive system for rear-wheel drive but will feature a four-wheel steer system. Following up on the GT2 Turbo in 2015 will be an even more powerful, track-ready GT2 RS with upwards of 620 hp.

[Source: Autocar UK]

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Earlier, Porsche unveiled the next iteration of its 911 Turbo and Turbo S, and now the German automaker has released a first look video of its next great sports car.

The new Porsche 911 Turbo features more power than its predecessor, a wider body, rear-wheel steering, and a new all-wheel drive system combined with innovative, new aerodynamics. 20-inch wheels now come standard on the turbocharged sports car with the Turbo model rated at 520 hp and the Turbo S pumping out 560 hp.

SEE ALSO: 2014 Porsche 911 Turbo S Revealed: 0-60 in 2.9 Seconds

Undoubtedly the new 911 Turbo continues a tradition of exhilarating and breathtaking performance from Porsche. The only unfortunate thing is that it won’t be offered with a manual transmission; both models’ 3.8 liters are mated to a seven-speed, PDK dual-clutch automatic.

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The Porsche 918 Spyder isn’t sold out yet, but the German automaker’s head of research and development is confident that it will when potential customers get to drive it.

The 918 Spyder will launch this September and features a V8 hybrid powertrain with 875 hp that will propel it to 62 mph in merely 3.2 seconds. It’s Porsche’s supercar that hasn’t garnered supercar attention, like the recently debuted Ferrari LaFerrari and McLaren P1. Both those exotics are sold out, but in Porsche’s defense, neither product will be produced in the same volume as the 918 Spyder.

SEE ALSO: Porsche 918 Spyder HP Rumored to be Underrated

The German automaker will limit the 918 Spyder’s production to 918 units, which is more than the P1′s 375 and the LaFerrari’s 499. The issue in garnering buyers is the fact that final specifications on the vehicle haven’t been released yet and right now there are only running prototypes. Hatz noted that no one from outside the company is allowed to drive those prototypes because of the experimental nature of the cars and the extreme technologies involved.

Regardless, Porsche is optimistic that the 918 Spyder will sell out as soon as people are able to get behind the wheel and experience the supercar. According to Hatz, the automaker has sold more 918s at this point in the launch process than the Carrera GT had.

[Source: Autocar]

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2013 Porsche Cayenne Review

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Celebrating the 40th anniversary of the turbocharged 911, Porsche has revealed the 2014 911 Turbo and Turbo S models boasting more power, a wider body, rear-wheel steering, a new AWD system and innovative new active aerodynamics.

With a body 1.1-inches wider than even the 911 Carrera 4, Porsche says the new flared fenders are roughly the width of a hand. Made large, they now house big 20-inch wheels, which feature a center locking mechanism on Turbo S models. Thick rubber is needed to put down the power, which is rated at 520 hp in the Turbo and 560 hp in the Turbo S. Both engines are based on the same twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter flat-six and, as suspected, are paired exclusively with a 7-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic (sorry stick-shift fans).

Porsche claims the increased power, along with a new AWD system will deliver a 0-60 mph time of just 2.9 seconds in the S and 3.2 seconds in the standard 911 Turbo. Top speed for the two cars is rated at 198 and 196 mph respectively.

As for the new PTM all-wheel drive system, it uses an electronically controlled multi-plate coupling system with water cooling, which Porsche says will allow more power to be sent to the front wheels for improved front-end grip.

Adding even more grip at speed are innovative active aerodynamic features. The 911 Turbo has long been known for its deployable rear-wing, though for 2014 it also gains a three-stage front spoiler that can extend pneumatically to deliver heightened front-end downforce. The three piece unit works with the rear spoiler to deliver different levels of downforce to deliver either maximum downforce or reduced drag and maximum efficiency.

Porsche claims the new 911 Turbo is “well under” a 7:30 lap time on the Nurburgring, with this new aerodynamic feature responsible for shedding two seconds off the car’s time.

Also helping improve performance is the use of the same rear-wheel steering first introduced on the GT3, adjusting rear steering by up to 2.8 degrees. At speeds below 31 mph the wheels turn the opposite direction of those in the front, delivering a “virtual shortening of the wheelbase by 9.8 inches,” while at speeds above 50 mph they turn in unison with the fronts, which Porsche claims is like shortening the car’s wheelbase by 19.6 inches, making the car respond to steering inputs that much more quickly.

Pricing for the 911 Turbo starts at $148,300 while S models jump significantly to 181,100. Cars will be available near the end of this year.

GALLERY: 2014 Porsche 911 Turbo S

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Hybrid technology is improving at an impressive rate and is continuing to find its way into more and more vehicles.

A significant number of new and exciting hybrids are coming to market this year and early next. No, these aren’t all Prius wannabes. There are some interesting cars on the way, like the ultra efficient VW XL1 seen above. Check out some of these hybrid luxury sedans, rugged crossovers and even a pair of supercars.

If you’re not yet convinced to hop on the hybrid bandwagon, this should help. And if you already are, but haven’t found the right gas-electric vehicle for you, perhaps it’s coming soon to a dealership near you.

Porsche 911 sports cars from model years 2001 through 2007 are the subject of a NHTSA probe opened on Friday, April 26. 

A coolant hose fitting might fail and allow the fluid to rapidly drain from the cars onto the ground. That poses a hazard to the affected vehicle and any other cars around. A NHTSA document show that an estimated 10,000 vehicles equipped with the maker’s GT1 flat six engine could be affected by the issue.

The same document shows that there have been 10 complaints filed so far with the agency, although a recall hasn’t been initiated. A preliminary evaluation is currently taking place and that could escalate to a recall if NHTSA determines that it is necessary.