Frankfurt auto show: Porsche’s ultimate hybrid finally arrives

Porsche has been teasing and previewing its groundbreaking electric hybrid supercar, the new 918, for three years now, ever since it showed a concept version at the Geneva motor show in 2010. Well, finally it is here in full production form at Frankfurt and yes, you can actually buy one, assuming you have the necessary bottomless financial wherewithal.

It looks almost exactly as it did when Porsche first showed off a concept version at the Geneva motor show in 2010. It's low, sleek and clearly has been the inspiration from which the new Boxster and Cayman have drawn for their styling. It's also a touch plain, perhaps, compared to its direct rivals, the McLaren P1 and Ferrari LaFerrari, but then that is the Porsche way and we wouldn't ask them to change it. And yes, you can optionally have it in full Martini Racing colours for the real Le Mans refugee effect.

Inside there is a massive, sweeping centre console that eschews buttons in favour of a full touch-senstive black panel, which allows for Apple-style multi-touch gestures to control the infotainment and heating systems. Porsche is playing it safe with the main driving controls though - these are more conventional and grouped around the steering wheel and dials.

It is in the engine bay where the 918 really starts to amaze. It’s a plugin hybrid, and Porsche is claiming that it will return between 94 and 85mpg. Remarkable enough but remember that it can sprint to 62mph in just 2.8secs. If it can truly mix those two disparate performance figures on the road then the 918 can lay claim to revolutionary status.

Thanks to its experience with the 911 Hybrid GT3 race car, Porsche is using the hybrid drivetrain to enhance the 918’s dynamic performance. There are two electric motors backing up the 4.6-litre V8 petrol engine, and they combine to make the 918 four wheel drive when it needs to be. To juggle the three motors best for how you want to drive, the 918 comes with three electronic settings; E-Power (electric only running, for up to 30 miles at speeds of up to 150kmh), Hybrid (all motors, maximising fuel economy), Sport Hybrid (V8 engine now always on, but electric motors assisting for still pretty good efficiency), Race Hybrid (full petrol grunt, electric motors to maximum for KERS-style power boost and 4WD traction) and finally ‘Hot Lap’ which just does the full Spinal Tap everything-up-to-eleven.

Without question, the 918 is potentially the most significant new Porsche since the tech-laden, 200mph 959 of the eighties. Possibly, it is the most important Porsche since the original 911, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary at the same Frankfurt show.

It gets even better. While the 918’s main rivals from McLaren and Ferrari are two-seat only ultra cars, destined as much for museums and collections as for the road, Porsche is reportedly planning a practical 918. Autocar Magazine is claiming that it’s working on a stretched 918 with space in the back for 2+2 seating. Fancy bringing the kids out in your carbon-fibre, 880bhp, part-electric supercar? Soon, you’ll be able to...