Porsche 918 gets pre-launch boost

As the 2014 on-sale date for Porsche's 918 Spyder draws nearer, Porsche has told us exactly how fast it is when fitted with the optional Weissach package.

Porsche previously announced a 0-100km/h sprint time of 2.8 seconds for the standard version of its petrol-electric hybrid supercar and has now divulged a sprint time of just 2.6 seconds for the Weissach version. This package will also get it to 200km/h in 7.2 seconds (0.5 seconds faster) and cuts 2.1 seconds off the 0-300 time, now 19.9s.

In the wake of the Porsche 918 Spyder plug-in hybrid's surprise launch at the 2010 Geneva auto show, Porsche made little secret of its plans to put the car into production. In fact, Porsche’s erstwhile R and D chief, Wolfgang Dürheimer—who now heads Bentley and Bugatti—personally handed this writer a form to sign up and register his interest in the car. I declined the offer, but others didn't, and official production plans were confirmed last summer thanks to “outstanding customer response.” Now, we have a price: a cool $845,000, not including destination and handling. (We suspect the destination charge will affect few people’s purchasing plans.)

Porsche 918 Spyder Priced, Matching 911 Turbo S Will Be Optional
Buyers of the $845,000 hybrid supercar will be able to commemorate the purchase with an "Edition 918 Spyder" 911 Turbo S.

Porsche has revealed that fitting the Weissach Package to the 918 Spyder improves performance significantly, with 0-62mph in 2.6 seconds.