German sports car maker Porsche AG (PSHG_p.DE) will build a limited series of exclusive super-sports cars powered by both a petrol engine and an electric motor, the company said on Wednesday. The 918 Spyder plug-in hybrid will be developed in Weissach, and based on a prototype unveiled at this year's Geneva auto show in early March.
The car will effectively replace the Carrera GT that had total unit sales of about 1,280 over four years and retailed at prices north of 400,000 euros. The 918 prototype can sprint from a standstill to 100 kilometers an hour in less than 3.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 320 km/h, according to Porsche.
The prototype requires just three-litres of fuel per 100 kilometers and emits only 70 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer, Porsche said.
The prototype saved fuel by using a 218 horsepower electric motor to drive the front and rear axles.
Porsche plans to build the model in its Zuffenhausen plant outside of Stuttgart, the company said.
