We've already seen the 918 Spyder Hybrid concept, but can we expect a whole range of 918s from Stuttgart?
Only time will tell, but recent rumblings from Porsche indicate they will unveil a new non-hybrid race or production version of the 918 at the Detroit Auto Show next week. A mid-engined V8 model range makes perfect sense for Porsche. While the 911 hasn't lost a step during its long existence, all but the most hardcore top-of-the-range versions such as the GT2 have started to pale (on paper, at least) when compared to mid-engined cars from Ferrari, Lamborghini and even Audi.
It's expected that this car will be powered by the same race-derived V8 found in the 918 Hybrid and RS Spyder racecar, but with an additional 100 hp coming from twin turbos, bringing the total to 600. Unlike the hybrid we saw Geneva last year, expect the new version to sport a fixed hardtop. This would suggest that we can expect a full range of models and options for the 918, similar to the current 911 range.
While it's possible that a race version of the 918 (rendered above in Flying Lizard colors by Teamspeed) will be shown in Detroit, Drive Cult considers this to be a less likely scenario. A racing version of the 918 makes sense down the road, but it's unlikely that Porsche would introduce a racecar to such a wide audience before a production version of the road car has even broken cover.
Since it's already been announced that the 918 hybrid will be campaigning the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring, it's likely that race version of the 918 will be built to GT3 spec to compete directly with the Audi R8s in that class. Though it's the inverse to its production car range, Porsche would likely be opposed to having another car step on the 911's toes in the GT2 class. A GT1 car is even less likely, since that class is expected to get the axe from the Le Mans overlords at the ACO any day now.
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