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Porsche boss Michael Macht says that staff in the firm are fully committed to building the 918 Spyder, the biggest shock - and hit - of the Geneva motor show.

Taken from drawing to show car in under five months, the 918 mixes a 500bhp petrol V8 with two electric motors for a combined 718bhp. Porsche has calculated that it could be quicker than the old Carrera GT around the Nordschleife.

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The most exciting Porsche new model since -- the 997 returned the 911 series back to the top of the sports car heap.

Now this is what hybred technology is for: advances in high performance. The whole "save the planet" garbage with dangerous junk wagon Prius's is nonsense. You want to "save the planet" then buy a really good condition older car and keep it in shape and passing emissions tests -- you hypocrites.

It's just a cracking looking car, I hope what they build does it justice.

"The 918 Spyder provides the answer to whether there can be high-performance cars in the future," he added. "Many have said they are finished. This car shows they are not."

Great looking car but I would hardly say a 500bhp V8 answers the question about high performance cars in the future... if it had a 700bhp fuel cell then maybe Porsche could make that claim.

Martin Higham:

Great looking car but I would hardly say a 500bhp V8 answers the question about high performance cars in the future... if it had a 700bhp fuel cell then maybe Porsche could make that claim.

Absolutely.

As far as I can see, the electric motors are not the true power source for this car. If Porsche had replaced the engine with a comparably powered electric-only system, then I'd take my hat off to them. What they've actually done is the equivalent to removing the ashtray from a room and saying that they've stopped people from smoking.

 stunning car but how can one drive it without looking like a tit

I don't get it either.  If Porsche were down-sizing with the engine and then adding electric motors I'd understand, but a 500bhp V8?

They should have shown us a car with the equivalent engine to a Boxster (or smaller) backed-up with electric motors to give 911 beating performance and efficiency, but obviously that's a double-edged sword...

This looks like a car with some mileage(sorry), what i mean is this is a Porsche that isn't a 911!, it looks spot on, a real departure from Porsche-ness if you like,and it sounds terrific too, it's over to the other compeditors now, don't you think?

SpiritOfSenna:

As far as I can see, the electric motors are not the true power source for this car

 and thank God they haven't...I am not a fan of anything electric apart from a 50" HD TV whilst the F1 is on!  The sounds of a V8? or the sound of the washing machine? You decide.

I am excited about them building this "Elise" style car and if it's for roughly Cayman S money I'm in!  The sad thing is it probably will be 458/SLS/Gallardo money....oh well.

Lotus Man:

The sad thing is it probably will be 458/SLS/Gallardo money

And the rest! With it sharing the same platform as the Carrera GT, I'd be very surprised if you'll get much change from £400k.

Lotus Man:

I am excited about them building this "Elise" style car and if it's for roughly Cayman S money I'm in!  The sad thing is it probably will be 458/SLS/Gallardo money....oh well

First thing I thought was Lotus Elise! That said I love the look, shame about the price. Come on Jaguar get the photocopier out and build something this cool for BMW z4 money. You know it makes sense!

 I'm just half expecting nissan will bring out something a week later that is quicker and is less than half the price.

A 500bhp+ GTR with a couple of motors from the Leaf should do the trick.