This follows overwhelming response from the public and customers to the concept study shown at the Geneva Motor Show.

Says Porsche boss Michael Macht: "Production of the 918 Spyder in a limited series proves that we are taking the right approach with Porsche Intelligent Performance featuring the combination of supreme performance and efficient drivetrain concepts.

"We will develop the 918 Spyder in Weissach and assemble it in Zuffenhausen. This is also a very important commitment to Germany as a manufacturing base."

The 918 Spyder concept combines high-tech racing features with electric-mobility to offer a fascinating range of qualities.

For example, it is planned to provide a CO2 emission level of just 70 g/km on fuel consumption of only 3 litres/100 km, which is truly outstanding, even for an ultra-compact city car.

At the same time is offers the performance of a super sports car with acceleration from a standstill to 100 km/h in just under 3.2 seconds, top speed of 320 km/h and a lap time on the Nordschleife of Nürburgring faster than the Porsche Carrera GT.

This open two-seater is powered by a high-revving V8 developing more than 373 kW and a maximum engine speed of 9 200 rpm, as well as electric motors on the front and rear axle with overall mechanical output of 160 kW.

V8 engine

The V8 combustion engine is the next step in the evolution of the highly successful 3.4-litre power unit already featured in the RS Spyder racing car and positioned in front of the rear axle, giving the car excellent balance and the right set-up for supreme performance on the race track.

Power is transmitted to the wheels by a seven-speed double clutch transmission that feeds the power of the electric drive system to the rear axle. The front-wheel electric drive powers the wheels through a fixed transmission ratio.

The energy reservoir is a fluid-cooled lithium-ion battery positioned behind the passenger cell.

The big advantage of a plug-in hybrid is that the battery can be charged from the mainsIt uses brake regeneration to help charge the batteries.

The driver has a choice of four driving modes.

The E-Drive mode is for running the car under electric power alone, with a range of up to 25 km. In the Hybrid mode the 918 Spyder uses both the electric motors and the combustion engine, offering a range from particularly fuel-efficient all the way to extra-powerful.

The Sport Hybrid mode uses both drive systems, but with the focus on performance. Most of the drive power goes to the rear wheels, with torque vectoring serving to additionally improve the car's driving dynamics.

Race mode

In the Race Hybrid mode the drive systems are focused on pure performance. With the battery sufficiently charged, a push-to-pass button feeds in additional electrical power (E-Boost), when overtaking or for ultimate performance.

The car has a modular structure with its monocoque body shell made of carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFP) and liberal use of magnesium and aluminium which not only reduces weight to below 1 490 kg, but also ensures a high level of torsional stiffness.

The design is reminiscent of legendary racing cars such as the Porsche 917 and the current Porsche RS Spyder.

Inside the contoured sports bucket seats form part of the cockpit, while the interior design offers a glimpse at the potential interior architecture of future Porsche super sports cars, while the three free-standing circular dials for road speed (left), engine speed (middle) and energy management (right) look like they come directly from a racing car of the ‘60s.

The centre console rises up towards the front in the 918 Spyder and houses a touch screen for intuitive control of the car's functions, reducing the number of visible controls and maintaining the principle of direct operation.

The control units relevant to the driver are mainly concentrated on the three-spoke multifunction sports steering wheel, while the variable driving modes are supplemented by a switch enabling the driver to call up various drive programs and serving as the push-to-pass button for E-boosting.

Instrument illuminationvaries from green for the consumption-oriented running modes to red for the performance-oriented driving programs.

The Porsche 918 Spyder concept also comes with further innovative functions such as the Range Manager.

After being activated in the centre display, the Range Manager uses the map in the navigation system to present the remaining range the car is able to cover, allowing the driver to influence that range through the appropriate choice of power and performance.

In cities with environmental alert areas the Range Manager also states whether the driver is able to reach his destination on electric power alone.

Applying this information and using further info on the availability and location of special energy filling stations, the driver is then able to choose his personal style of driving as well as the right battery charge and filling strategy.