Porsche 918 Spyder hybrid, Asian Premiere

The interior of the new Porsche 918 Spyder hybrid [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The highlight of the day was the Asian Premiere of the new Porsche 918 Spyder, fresh from a record breaking 6 minute and 57 second lap time of the Nürburgring Nordschleife. This first appearance of the groundbreaking plug-in hybrid in Asia was a landmark moment, a super sports car with intelligent technology that is distinctively Porsche.

With a 4.6 liter V8 engine developing 608 bhp, two electric motors delivering an additional 286 bhp for a combined output of 887 bhp at 8,500 rpm, The 918 Spyder is a vision into the future. Performance and efficiency are combined in perfect harmony -- with the weight --optimized Weissach package fitted, the vehicle now accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in just 2.6 seconds and a top speed of 343 km/h, while CO2 emissions are limited to 70 g/km and fuel consumption of 3.0 liters/100 km. These figures have never before been possible in a sports car of this type. With only 918 units to be manufactured at the Zuffenhausen factory, the 918 Spyder is already a legend in the making.

Each and every model on display at Auto Guangzhou 2013 was clear in its goal – a demonstration and celebration of the official auto show motto, "Lead the Trend, Steer the Future." Since 1948, Porsche has been creating sports cars that inspire with a combination of tradition and innovation, performance and everyday usability, design and functionality, exclusivity and social acceptance. Whether on the race track or the road, in the passenger seat or behind the wheel, every Porsche represents a piece of motoring folklore and a statement for the future.

The new Porsche 918 Spyder hybrid [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]