Thanks to vehicles like the Tesla Roadster as well as Porsche’s 911 GT3 R Hybrid race car, the future of sports car racing is seen as electrified. Environmental preservation is a trend the auto industry as a whole is addressing and the exclusive supercar builders are not excluded. In fact, with supercars being a concentrated form of human emotion and passion set on wheels, it is only fitting these vehicles exhibit the latest advanced powertrains.

As reported on Automoblog.net last year, the Porsche 918 Spyder concept’s ability to wow auto show crowds at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show has granted to vehicle a coveted production run. Set to become Porsche’s next halo car by late 2013, the top of the line 918 Spyder’s performance will be delivered courtesy of plug-in hybrid technology. Inching closer to the hands of performance drivers, Porsche has entered the next stage in bring the 918 Spyder to a street-going reality. Right now, orders for the Porsche 918 Spyder are being recorded by the German auto company practically certifying the supercar for customer availability.

While the Panamera and Cayenne hybrid have already beaten the 918 Spyder to market as Porsche’s first display of hybrid drive technology, this first two-door supercar application by the German automaker has the alternative powertrain uniquely configured. Classified as a plug-in hybrid, the Porsche 918 Spyder can run up to 16 miles on electric only mode. Consisting of two electric motors, one each on the supercar’s front and rear axle, the variable all-wheel drive system allows the Porsche 918 Spyder to benefit from balanced weight distribution. Combined, the two electric motors will supply approximately 218 horsepower for zero emissions driving. When available, electrical charging of the Porsche 918 Spyder can be performed over a 7-hour period through a US household outlet or less with a quick charge unit.

Confirming the gasoline engine power of the Porsche 918 Spyder will be originating from a V-8 powerplant, exact details of the Porsche 918 Spyder’s gasoline engine is not provided but the manufacturer has mentioned some ballpark expectations. Said to be no more than 4 liters in displacement, Porsche has guaranteed the 918 Spyder gasoline-only performance output will be at least 500 horsepower. The Porsche-Doppelkupplung (PDK) dual-clutch gearbox is confirmed as the centerpiece for transmitting engine power through the all-wheel drive system.

Using the collective power of gasoline and electric power, the Porsche 918 Spyder achieves impressive fuel economy and emits only 112 grams of carbon dioxide per mile. If true, the Porsche 918 Spyder supercar will process carbon dioxide emissions cleaner than a diesel-powered Smart Fortwo. Offering fantastic performance for the sake of the environment, the 918 Spyder delivers the road performance Porsche fans have grown to expect. Accelerating from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just 3.1 seconds, the 918 Spyder recorded a top speed of 199 miles per hour during testing at the Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit. In lapping the 12.8-mile track, the Porsche 918 Spyder took 7 minutes and 30 seconds to complete the distance. This time is 2 seconds faster than Porsche’s previous top-rated supercar, the Carrera GT.

Not everything in the Porsche 918 Spyder aspires to high-tech operations. With no shortage of premium vehicles electing to make convenience gadgets a showcase on their vehicles, the 918 Spyder manually removable roof section is appreciated by sports car purest tire of the excessive catering to luxury a modern high-performance car feels forced into providing motorists. The classic Porsche exterior shape is another reassurance that the exploration into new powertrains does not rob the spirit of the sports car.

Taking orders for the 918 Spyder, Porsche has estimated the price tag of the upcoming supercar at $835,000 in United States money. Along with the obstacle of the hefty base price, those who can presently afford the Porsche 918 Spyder will have to accept the vehicle in their long-term plans. Set for production at the Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen manufacturing complex for September 18th of 2013, a more than 2-year wait is required for the Porsche 918 Spyder. Starting production on the 65th anniversary year since Porsche’s first prototype, the September 18th date is one day prior to the birthday of the German sports car’s founder Ferdinand “Ferry” Porsche. For the interim, the German automaker has prepared a 918 Spyder special edition of the Porsche 911

Fulfilling the new generation of high-performance supercar driving with better fuel economy and lower emissions, there is little to dislike about near future of supercars.

Information and photo source: Porsche Cars North America

Related posts:

1. Porsche Greenlights the 918 Spyder Supercar
2. Porsche 918 Spyder Concept – A 78 mpg Supercar
3. No Hybrid Sportscars From Porsche

Last week we learned that Swedish supercar maker Koenigsegg made a promise to buy lagging Swedish passenger car maker Saab, who is currently wholly owned by GM. Considering the other cars that Koenigsegg makes, what could come from this acquisition? Koenigsegg’s slowest car – the CCX – produces a minimum of 806 horsepower for a 0-62 mph run of only 3.2 seconds and an incredible top speed of 250 mph.

So take this technology and put it into a Saab – a company known for their practical family sedans, and what do we have?

David Weaver – creator of the excellent Chevy El Camaro has created the above rendering based off the Koenigsegg CCX and the very cool Saab Aero-X Concept from 2006.

The stubby little KoenigSaab would surely be a blast on the track. Although it wouldn’t have the top speed of the excellent CCX, it would run around the track quite nicely.

Higher res image of the Koenigsaab

Related posts:

1. Koenigsegg Backs Out of Saab Deal
2. eBay Watch: 2007 Koenigsegg CCX For Sale
3. Koenigsegg Buys Saab

With big SUVs and even smaller crossover SUVs becoming less popular as the price of gas rises (and the economy sinks,) Americans still need a vehicle with enough utility to carry their stuff around, and sedans just don’t hold enough cargo. For example, the 2009 VW Jetta TDI sedan has 16 cubic ft of truck space. Get that same car in the SportWagen edition, and the cargo capacity increases to 67 cubic ft with the rear seats folded down.

Another example: The 2009 Audi A4 sedan is spacious, but the truck can only hold 34 cubic ft of cargo. That’s big for a trunk, but the Avant (wagon) model can hold 51 cubic ft with the rear seats down.

As useful as they are, the wagon style has one inherent problem: they’re ugly. They’re not sporty, and are generally seen as uncool by Americans. It’s time we got over the uncool factor of wagons, and start using them for their exceptional blend of utility and practicality. Europe has…

Slowly but surely, some manufacturers are beginning to release wagon versions of their sedans in America, hoping they catch on. Cadillac just announced the 2010 CTS Sport Wagon, which looks better than I expected. Nick just reviewed a 2009 Volvo XC70 – a fairly odd-looking wagon that he mostly enjoyed. The recently announced BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo is a sort of wagon, and many other sedans (like the Jetta and A4 mentioned above) are available as wagons. So what’s the next step? Who’s next?

When we reviewed the 2009 Hyundai Genesis Sedan last month, we were blown away with how much car you get for the money. It’s one of, if not the best value on the road today. Theophilus Chin, a damn-fine Photoshop expert, thought the Genesis would look good as a wagon, and created the Hyundai Genesis Estate, based off of the excellent sedan. As you can see for the pictures above and below, he kept the same dimensions, but added on the rear, which would add significantly more room to the already large cargo area in the Genesis. He also changed the front grille to more closely match that of typical Hyundai, instead of the Mercedes-esque, logo-less grille currently on the sedan. In his words, “Hyundai shouldn’t be ashamed to show its logo at the front. The Genesis is after-all a good car.”

Should Hyundai create the Estate? Probably not, but it’s a good thought. First of all, the wagon isn’t going to appeal to the same buyers that the sedan attracts. The Estate would likely be a good value, but buyers probably wouldn’t stray from the proven luxury wagon-makers like Audi and Mercedes as easily as they will with a sedan or coupe; styles that have been popular in the States for so long. Also, Hyundai is taking a big risk releasing the Genesis line; the sedan and coupe are high-end cars; something Hyundai hasn’t been known for in the past. Let’s let those two models pull up Hyundai’s image a bit before they start releasing more styles and models; people need to know they can make a high quality car for an inexpensive price before they look into other styles not so popular in the States.

Renderings courtesy of Theophilus Chin

Related posts:

1. Hyundai Genesis Superbowl Ad Photos
2. Hyundai Prices 2012 Genesis Lineup, 5.0 R-Spec Model
3. Hyundai Adding Turbocharged Veloster, Refreshed Genesis Coupe

As a tribute to our favorite car/truck coupe-utility ugly-mobile – the Chevy El Camino, a clever Photoshop guru at the Streetfire forums has rendered an El Camaro. Based off the new 2010 Chevy Camaro, the El Camaro would give the (admittedly very few) customers muscle-car characteristics of the 2010 Camaro, while still offering the flat-bed hauling power of a truck.

The Photoshop-Jedi responsible for this cool idea created several variations on this concept. Follow the jump to see them all:

source: Streetfire Forums

Related posts:

1. 2010 Chevy Camaro Transformers Edition
2. 2011 Chevy Camaro Gets a Horsepower Bump, Heads-Up Display
3. 2010 Chevy Camaro Indy 500 Pace Car Replica Limited Edition