Speculation mounts that Porsche is preparing to open an official order book for the hybrid supercar

The Porsche 918 Spyder will be at the Pebble Beach Concours in California the company has confirmed, amid mounting speculation that it is preparing to open an official order book for the hybrid supercar.

The German manufacturer is said to have received over 1000 letters of interest from potential customers for the 918, which was the biggest surprise and star of the Geneva show earlier this year.

See new studio pictures of the Porsche 918 Spyder

The concept shown mixed a 500bhp petrol V8 with two electric motors to offer a combined 718bhp.

Rumours last week suggested that Porsche has given the project the green light for production, and that it is planning a Pebble Beach launch.

A source within the company told Autocar that “the car will be there” but insisted, “Product announcement is still in discussion. We are still on the way to finalising the figures.”

Pebble Beach would be an ideal venue for Porsche to take the next step on the 918’s path to production: cash deposits.

The event’s well heeled customer base, and its relatively close proximity to cash-rich, environmentally conscious Palo Alto, would make it an ideal source of early orders.

Bugatti has used the showcase in recent years to launch versions of its Veyron.

Porsche boss Michael Macht acknowledged in March that there was enormous momentum behind the project. “There is no one inside Porsche who doesn’t want to build the 918,” he said. “The response has been marvellous.”

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val. 20 June 2010

Re: Porsche 918 Spyder 'on sale'

VW realy have hit the jackpot in taking over Porscher. They should make money on the 918, where as the Varon was and is "a lost leader".

BriMarsh 19 June 2010

Re: Porsche 918 Spyder 'on sale'

Agree with Goodhand; hints (only hints mind) of the 904. First time I saw one of those racing I didn't recognise it as a Porsche!

goodhand 19 June 2010

Re: Porsche 918 Spyder 'on sale'

Welsh Wizard wrote:
Doesn't look like a Porsche. In fact, it looks rather old-fashoined, in a kind of Elise/McF1 sort of way. And how can there be any sort of 'eco' story, when it's got 700+bhp to propel a couple of people.

Since when has a car's eco credentials been based on its bhp figure? And as for not looking like a porsche, what about the 906, 910 and 917?