Porsche’s forthcoming 918 Spyder is already a serious piece of kit, with a predicted power output of more than 750 hp, and a top speed around 200 mph. But we now hear that Porsche is working on a tweaked version that will shed some weight, gain some speed, and carry a larger price tag.
Autocar reports that the Porsche 918 Spyder will be offered with an optional Race Track package, which should make the hybrid supercar a little bit better at — you guessed it — the track. Autocar says that Porsche will achieve this by stripping most of the creature comforts out of the interior (not unlike 911 RS, Cayman R, and Boxster Spyder models), but buyers will also have the option of skipping exterior paint altogether. Considering that the base car is predicted to weigh less than 3750 lbs and the Race Track package will supposedly shed 66 pounds, the final Race Track product should weigh 3650-3675 pounds. That’s impressive, considering that it’ll be carrying a V-8 engine, two electric motors, and a 6.8 kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
Production of the 918 Spyder–in both stock and Race Track package guises–begins on September 18, 2013 (for obvious numerical reasons). The stock car is said to have a 570-hp, 4.6-liter V-8 gasoline engine, a 121-hp electric motor connected to the transmission that drives the rear wheels, and a 107-hp front-mounted electric motor that drives the front wheels. Total system output will top out at 770 hp and 552 lb-ft of torque, which should be good enough for a 0-62 mph sprint in about three seconds, along with a top speed of 202 mph.
How much will all of this cost? The stock 918 will carry an $845,000 price tag, but Porsche hasn’t announced pricing details for the Race Track package. We wouldn’t be surprised if a Race Track 918 customer isn’t going to pay any less than $860,000 for the privilege of owning a hardcore Porsche supercar. We’ll see in due time.
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