Production of the Porsche 918 Spyder begins at the firm's Zuffenhausen factory today. First deliveries are expected before the end of the year.
UK prices start at £657,400, rising to £718,000 if equipped with the optional Weissach performance package. Porsche says orders for the initial limited run of 918 examples have already exceeded expectations, and two thirds of the planned production run is already booked. Porsche directors gave the green light for production following 2000 declarations of interest in 2010.
The 918 Spyder, developed at Porsche's Weissach research centre, develops 599bhp from its naturally aspirated 4.6-litre V8 petrol engine. Power is supported by two electric motors producing a combined 282bhp. Total power output is 875bhp at 8500rpm.
The 918 Spyder's most obvious rival is the forthcoming McLaren P1, which uses a 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 engine tuned to produce 727bhp. A hybrid KERS system boosts final output to 903bhp.
The 918 Spyder has set its own Nürburgring time of 6min 57sec.
