Porsche decided to keep the production version of the 918 Spyder under wraps for now showing off instead the motorsport-inspired 918 RSR Coupe Concept at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show. Combining hybrid racing technology with a dramatic looking coupe body style, the RSR is every bit as impressive as the design study showcased last year at Geneva. For its motivation, the 918 RSR relies on a V8 gasoline engine delivering 563HP and a pair of electric motors producing a combined output of 204HP. Check out our gallery with live pictures from the Detroit show after the break or click here for more details on Porsche's conceptual racer.
Porsche's return to the Detroit Show after a four year-absence is marked with the introduction of a new racing concept based on the company's 918 Spyder from last year's Geneva Salon. The 918 RSR is a two-seat mid-engined coupe, and according to Porsche, it demonstrates what happens when the technology fitted in the 911 GT3 R Hybrid race car and the design of the 918 Spyder concept are combined together.
The motorsports version of the 918 Spyder concept car gets a V8 engine based on the RS Spyder race car's 3.4-liter unit tuned to deliver 563HP at 10,300 rpm, and is linked to a six-speed racing transmission with shift paddles that feeds the rear wheels.
A pair of electrics motors mounted on the two front wheels each contribute 75 kW (102 hp), or a total of 204HP, lifting the combined output to 767HP. The German maker notes that the extra power from the electric motors is available for around eight seconds when the system is fully charged.
As with the 911 GT3 R hybrid racing car, the additional power from the electric motors, which is generated during braking, is stored in an optimized flywheel accumulator.
In the 918 RSR study, the two electric motors also offer a torque vectoring function with variable torque distribution to the front axle, which increases agility and improves steering response.
Aside from the coupe configuration with the fixed roof and the characteristic doors which open at an angle upwards, the 918 RSR also features an added air intake in the roof between the wing doors, a special aero package that includes air splitters beneath the front lip and a huge rear wing, plus slick tires on 19-inch wheels with single centre locking nut.
The interior of the road-spec 918 Spyder has also been modified and comes with a single figure-hugging bucket seat, while the passenger seat has been replaced by flywheel accumulator.
The ongoing saga of Porsche's North American International Auto Show world premiere continues today with a short statement from the event organizers and the Stuttgart-based sports carmaker announcing that the model in question will be a concept and not a production vehicle. Scroll down for the announcement.
"First Press Conference at Detroit Auto Show Is World Premiere of New Porsche Concept
German Car Company Returns to Motor City with Highly Anticipated Concept Vehicle
In a world premiere, Porsche will take the wraps off a new car that promises to be one of the most intriguing and talked-about debuts at the show. This marks the automaker's first appearance at the Detroit Auto Show in four years."
We'll remind you that earlier this week, Bloomberg news said that Porsche's surprise will be a racing coupe version of the 918 Spyder hybrid concept, citing inside company sources.
We already know that Porsche plans to debut a new model at the rapidly approaching North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit next week, but the problem is that the German sports car maker is keeping its cards close to its chest about the type of vehicle it will unveil.
Adding to the many rumors already circulating on the internet, Bloomberg today reported that the model in question will be a racing coupe version of the 918 Spyder hybrid concept that was first shown at last year's Geneva Show.
Citing two people with knowledge of the matter, the news agency said that the car will be a two-seater concept coupe featuring a 600-horsepower V8. We'll remind you that the 918 Spyder, which was recently approved for a limited production run, gets a 500HP 3.4 liter V8 electro-enhanced by way of motors that add another 160 kW (218 hp).
We'll monitor the story and post an update if anything new arises, but for now, check out some renderings of a competition 918 made by a member of the Teamspeed forums in the video below.
Back in September, we reported on the custom-built Porsche Cayenne 902 Coupe that lost two-doors, courtesy of Merdad. Now, the UK-based tuning firm brought to our attention some real life shots of the SUV, which had its world premiere at last month's MPH The Prestige & Performance Motor Show in London.
Starting with the latest generation of the Porsche Cayenne, Merdad chops off the SUV's rear doors and proceeds with the necessary changes to the rest of the body. A comprehensive styling kit with aero parts and a choice of black or silver colored 22-inch alloy wheels along with an electronic lowering module are then added to the 902 Coupe.
The interior of the two-door Cayenne is swathed in black leather and red Alcantara, plus unique trim and a new steering wheel.
Being a custom build, Medrad also improves the Porsche's performance offering various upgrades for the Turbo model (550bhp to 750bhp), with the most potent version boasting a 0-60mph sprint time of 4.4 seconds.
Earlier this month, we told you about Porsche spokesman Hans-Gerd Bode's interview with Bloomberg where he discussed the firm's plans to unveil a new model at the upcoming North American International Auto Show in Detroit (January 10 to 23). Today, the Stuttgart-based sports car maker made it official by announcing that it will be giving a new model its world debut at the Detroit Show. Porsche, however, did not release any information on the vehicle.
As we previously noted, Porsche's debut could be anything from a successor to the 911 series, Boxster or Cayman, to the new Cajun three-door SUV and the production version of the 918 hybrid supercar, which is pictured in these shots.
