In its session today, the Supervisory Board of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, gave the green light for series development of the Porsche 918 Spyder. Reflecting the overwhelming response from the public and customers to the Concept Study, the Supervisory Board gave Porsche’s Board of Management the mission to develop a production model based on the car already presented. This concept version of an ultra-high-performance mid-engined sports car with plug-in hybrid technology made its debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show and at Auto China in Bejing, hitting the headlines worldwide.

Michael Macht, President and Chairman of the Board of Management of Porsche AG: “Production of the 918 Spyder in a limited series proves that we are taking the right approach with Porsche Intelligent Performance featuring the combination of supreme performance and efficient drivetrain concepts. We will develop the 918 Spyder in Weissach and assemble it in Zuffenhausen. This is also a very important commitment to Germany as a manufacturing base.”

The Concept Study of the 918 Spyder allows CO2 emissions of just 70 g/km, corresponding to fuel consumption of 3.0 litre/100 km (94.1 mpg imp) in the NEDC, on the one hand, and the performance of a super-sports car, on the other. This extremely efficient drivetrain technology then forms a symbiosis in the 918 Spyder with truly outstanding design and high-tech motorsport achievements. Further product details of the 918 Spyder will be disclosed in the months to come.

This came as a surprise to us. It appears that an American company has registered the Fuchs brand there and is producing classic-style Fuchs wheels for modern Porsches.

What’s particularly interesting is that Porsche itself does not have the rights to use the Fuchs name, so its own Fuchs-replicas are called ‘Sport Classic’ wheels, after the car they first appeared on.

The original Fuchs engineering company that made the wheels in the 1970s and 1980s is still running in Germany until recently made no mention of the product that made the company a household name in Porsche circles. However, they are now promoting Fuchs wheels themselves.

Take a look at Fuchs Performance Group for details of the new wheels.

Electric drive will take on an increasingly important role in the further enhancement of Porsche Intelligent Performance. To combine greater efficiency with even lower fuel consumption and emissions, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, is working consistently not only on the ongoing development of hybrid concepts already in regular production, but also on practical tests as part of the Stuttgart Model Region for Electromobility, using three research cars with all-electric drive based on the Porsche Boxster.

In the test process, these three electric Boxsters are to provide an initial first important insight into new electric drive components and battery systems for all-electric vehicle drive. This field test intended to also provide further findings on the infrastructure required for electromobility, user behaviour and the demands made of future products, is to start in early 2011.

Michael Macht, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Porsche AG, sees this contribution made by Porsche as absolutely essential: “We will definitely be offering an electric sports car in future. But such a concept only makes sense if it offers product qualities typical of a Porsche.”

Porsche has been committed to electric mobility for a long time, thus helping to preserve the environment and save resources in our world: The spectacular concept study of the 918 Spyder high-performance mid-engined sports car with plug-in hybrid combines high-tech breakthroughs in engine technology and electromobility with a truly fascinating range of further qualities. Emissions otherwise to be found only on a super-mini of just 70 g/km CO2 with three litres fuel consumption for 100 kilometres in the NEDC (equal to 94.1 mpg imp), come with the performance of a super sportscar developing well over 600 horsepower.

The hybrid system of the 911 GT3 R Hybrid has been developed especially for racing, with two 60 kW (82 hp) electric motors on the front axle boosting the 480 hp six-cylinder power unit fitted at the rear. Replacing conventional batteries there is an electrical flywheel power storage system re-charged whenever the driver applies the brakes and thus delivering energy to the electric motors. The 911 GT3 R Hybrid has already proven its racing qualities in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring.

Introducing the Cayenne S Hybrid, Porsche also offers the first production car in the range able to run under electric power alone. With maximum output of 380 hp, the Cayenne S Hybrid makes do in the NEDC cycle with just 8.2 ltr/100 km (equal to 34.5 mpg imp), and CO2 emissions reduced to a mere 193 g/km. This hybrid technology will also be featured in the future Panamera S Hybrid due to enter the market next year.

What the camera saw:

What the camera didn’t see:

The new issue of Total 911 has hit the shelves for your pleasure and delight. Here are just some of the highlights:

Centurion 911

In a world exclusive, we reveal a very special limited edition 911 made for American Express Centurion cardholders. It’s very rare, very black and very beautiful.

Classic 911 meets 993 power

We head to California to drive a stunningly good-looking early 911 that’s been treated to a 993 engine and gallons of orange paint. Nice.

Porsche 993 Turbo vs Ferrari F355

After our shock result last issue, will the Porsche beat the Italian stallion this time round?

Four father

We visit Melbourne in Australia to track down the first-ever four-wheel drive 911. The 953 prototype that led to the development of the Carrera 4.

Winging it

Ever wonder why 911s have rear wings? Or are they rear spoilers? We look back at the development of 911 aerodynamics to explain why. And we reveal the difference between a wing and a spoiler.

Plus…

We drive a stunning 997 Speedster

930 Flatnose put through its paces

Porsche 911s and British prime ministers. No, really…

Why the 996 was such an important Porsche

And much, much more…

Read Total 911 on the iPhone and iPad!

Apple’s iPad is a great platform for reading magazines.

And that’s why Total 911 is one of the world’s first magazines – and certainly the first Porsche magazine – to be available on the iPad and iPhone.

What’s more, you don’t have to wait for an iPad to enjoy Total 911 digitally. You can download the app to your iPhone or iPod Touch today and enjoy the benefits. And when you get your iPad you simply transfer the app to it to see your favourite Porsche magazine on the glorious big screen.

You can flick through the pages, zoom in, bookmark favourites and share features with your friends. It’s also a great way of carrying a number of issues with you.

We’ve lots of plans to add extra value features to the electronic edition of Total 911. Don’t worry, though – the high-quality print version will continue!

The day before, photographer Ali Cusick and I travelled up to Preston in a Powerkitted 997 Carrera S to meet with Alex Livesey, whose brother Paul had built him a rather special 964. We stayed with Alex and his family and the next morning Alex opened his garage door to reveal not only the 964 but also a banana yellow Lamborghini Diablo, which was ridiculously wide and low. It was also ridiculously loud, as I found out on starting the engine. It seems Paul had sneakily removed the cats from the 660bhp V12 engine. Fantastic!

However, today was about the 964, which develops a paltry 550bhp. Ali had earmarked a location in Lake District, which Alex and Paul were familiar with, so off we went. Ali set the sat-nav and I glanced down: “99 miles? I thought it was just down the road!” Oh well, it was off up the M6.

Eventually, we reached the spot and it was truly stunning, as the photo here shows (it also shows the engine is rather special, too).

Ali was jumping around like a kid in a sweetshop, muttering about light, sky and exposures, and all was rosy. Then he asked Alex to move the car around for the next shot. It wouldn’t start. Oh.

Paul, who knows the car inside out, poked around, scratched his head, swore, and said the fuel pump wasn’t working. Did we have any tools? The 997 revealed a plastic box with a screwdriver and a spanner in, so that was a start. We jacked up the car with the 964’s flimsy scissor jack and shoved a couple of Lake District boulders under for good measure. “There’s no power to the pump. It’s the f’ing immobiliser. I told you we should have trashed that,” he muttered to Alex.

With no tools, it seemed the only solution was to call the AA. But there was no phone signal in this remote valley. So Alex and I jumped in the 997 and drove up to a slate quarry, where we used their landline (how quaint). The breakdown guy said he’d be there within the hour, so we returned to the others, to be greeted by the roar of the 964. It was running!

A couple in a Discovery very kindly pulled over and offered the use of some tools and a length of wire, which Paul used to run power to the pump. Thanks guys!

And no thanks to the old bloke in (an admittedly lovely) Triumph GT6 who, instead of offering to help, drove past with his thumb up and a smug grin.

Car running and photos taken, all that remained was to get some action shots. As you can see from the video, the 964 didn’t disappoint. As to how you get 550bhp out of 964, you’ll have to wait to read about the car in Total 911.

Thanks also to Alex and Paul for their help with the feature.

Lambo video courtesy of Ali Cusick.

The 911 Centurion Edition has been created by Porsche Exclusive in conjunction with American Express. Just three examples will be built and these will be offered to holder of American Express’s Centurion Card.

Read the full story in Total 911 issue 64, on sale 14th July – subscribe now to get a copy sooner.

His twin brother, Jonathan is a well-known illustrator so decided to combine all three things into one 911-related birthday card. Check out Jonathan’s caricature portfolio for more examples of his work.