Porsche 918 Spyder Plug-in Hybrid Super Car with More than 770HP

The wait for Porsche's most radical sports car ever, the 918 Spyder, is nearing its end with the Stuttgart based automaker having completed the development of the pre-production prototypes, the first photos of which were released today. First seen as a concept at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, the 918 Spyder is a plug-in hybrid supercar that will enter production at the end of September 2013. Porsche said that the first customer deliveries will take place "before 2013 is out".
Previously, the Germans had announced that prices in the U.S., excluding destination and handling, will start at $845,000 (equal to €655,000), and in Europe from €645,000 (equal to $835,400) before VAT and country-specific charges.
The new 918 Spyder features a driveline that combines a mid-mounted V8 gasoline engine with a displacement of more than 4.0-liters and an output that exceeds 500-horses driving the rear wheels through a 7-speed dual clutch transmission, with two electric motors, one on each axle, with a joint output of at least 218-horses.
Porsche pointed out that while the system's combined output will surpass the 770hp mark, the 918 Spyder will return a fuel consumption of just 3.0lt/100km (78.4mpg US or 94.2mpg UK), evidently with the use of the electric motors, which are believed to be able to power the car alone for at least 25 km (16 miles).
The company previously quoted a 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) sprint time of 3.2 seconds and a top speed of more than 320 km/h (199 mph), though these numbers are not final.
The flagship Porsche model is built around a carbon fibre-reinforced plastic monocoque and features fully adaptive aerodynamics and an adaptive rear-axle steering.
The styling of the pre-production 918 Spyder remains close to the original concept with changes including the new headlamp fixtures, different wheels, the addition of full size exterior mirrors, the subtly redesigned rear end and the relocation of the exhaust pipes from the sides to the top part of the engine compartment.
Porsche has also designed a manual roof system with removable panels that can be stowed away in the front luggage compartment

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Toyota RAV4 EV, Prices Start at $49,800

Toyota chose the second day of the 26th annual Electric Vehicle Symposium in Los Angeles to present the world premiere of the production RAV4 EV featuring a pure-electric driveline developed by Tesla Motors. While based on the current RAV4, the Japanese automaker is commanding almost twice the price of the popular SUV's top trim-level (Limited: $25,530) for the electric model that will begin arriving in select showrooms this summer with an MSRP of $49,800 before any state and federal incentives.
The RAV4 EV's Tesla-developed driveline combines an electric motor producing a maximum output of 154hp (115kW) with a battery mounted low and to the center of the vehicle.
The front wheel drive-only electric SUV allows drivers to select from two distinctly different drive modes, Sport and Normal. Toyota says that when Sport mode is selected, the RAV4 EV reaches 0-60 mph (96km/h) in just 7.0 seconds and has a maximum speed of 100 mph (160km/h). In Normal mode, 0-60 mph comes after 8.6 seconds with the SUV reaching a top speed of 85 mph (137 km/h).
According to the Japanese automaker, the RAV4 EV has an expected driving range of around 100 miles (160 kilometers) and a charging time of approximately six hours on a 240V/40A charger. Toyota said the battery warranty is 8 years or 100,000 miles (160,000km).
Aside from replacing the regular RAV4's internal combustion engine with an electric motor and battery assembly, Toyota also made changes to the SUV's exterior styling to improve its coefficient of drag (0.30 Cd). These changes include the re-styled front bumper, upper and lower grill, side mirrors, rear spoiler, and under body design. The SUV also features LED daytime running lamps and new exterior emblems in the signature blue hue we find in other eco-friendly Toyota models.
Inside, the EV gets a unique “Neutron” fabric on the seat inserts and door trim, plus a redesigned instrument panel and an eight-inch touch screen featuring navigation, telematics, and EV drive information and settings. Toyota says that no interior space is lost in the vehicle due to EV components.
Toyota said it plans to produce approximately 2,600 units of the RAV4 EV over the next three years. The SUV's driveline will be built at Tesla's production facility in Palo Alto, California and then shipped to Toyota's Canadian plant for final assembly into the RAV4.
The first RAV4 EVs will begin arriving in late summer in four major California metropolitan markets including Sacramento, San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles/Orange County and San Diego, with more cities to be added down the line.
“We believe that the RAV4 EV will attract sophisticated early technology adopters, much like the first-generation Prius,” said Bob Carter, group vice president and general manager of the Toyota division. “It’s designed for consumers who prioritize the environment and appreciate performance. We look forward to seeing how the market responds."

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