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 PHOTO GALLERY
In February of 2012, Honda Civic Hybrid owner Heather Peters was awarded US$9,867 by a small-claims court in California after she accused the Japanese automaker of overstating the car's 50mpg fuel economy figures. However, being that Peters wasn't the only one to refuse Honda's class-action settlement that offered some 200,000 owners US$100-200 each and a $1,000 credit on purchasing a new car, the Japanese company decided to appeal her win. While lawyers are not allowed in small claims court in California, they are permitted on appeal. And unfortunately for Peters, Honda pulled the big guns hiring a national law firm with more than 800 lawyers to represent the company in court. On Wednesday, Superior Court Judge Dudley W. Gray II overturned the small-claims judgment against American Honda Motor Co. on the basis that Honda simply advertised the official EPA figures. Gray's ruling found that while Peters has standing to bring the suit in state court, "federal regulations control the fuel economy ratings posted on vehicles and advertising claims related to those fuel economy ratings" and that Honda at all relevant times "complied with applicable Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requirements". The judge's ruling noted that EPA's estimated miles per gallon ratings are for comparison among vehicles and do not take into account many factors that affect mileage at a given moment. "Despite these many variables, most of the owners of the subject vehicle achieve fuel economy very close to the EPA estimate," wrote Gray. "A graph was presented that showed the results of real world fuel usage as reported to fueleconomy.gov . The graph demonstrates the bell curve expected in nearly any large group surveyed. The majority of users report mileage very close to the EPA estimates," he added. Gray also ruled that Honda's advertising slogans did not promise anything. "With regards to Plaintiff's complaint about Defendant's use of advertising slogans such as "sipping fuel", "amazingly little fuel" and "saves plenty of money on fuel", the Court rules that these are non-actionable sales puffery. They are not specific promises of anything," said Gray. Peters on her behalf said that she understands the ruling but is disappointed. "It’s a sad day when regulations designed to protect consumers are used against them. I’m certain that the EPA and FTC never intended to shield Honda from liability for advertising claims that a court of law determined to be false," she said. "Of course I'm disappointed, but I'm still glad that I raised awareness that Honda is no longer the great brand that it used to be. They used to go the extra mile in customer service, now the go the extra mile fighting customers in court. I guess the moral of the story is buyer beware - especially of Honda!," said Peters. The court decision is now final, though the ruling will not directly affect the other pending cases on the matter.
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Over the past few weeks, we managed to gather bits and pieces about Citroën’s newest DS concept study and now, we not only have more than 120 high-resolution photos to share with you, but we also have all the details in advance of its world premiere at the Beijing Motor Show on April 24. Previously believed to be named the DS9, the French study is called the Numéro 9 concept, though Citroën makes it clear that it belongs to the DS lineup. Citroën says that the Numéro 9 introduces the more chic and premium DS lineup to Chinese consumers before the company launches its first DS products onto the market later this year. 
More importantly though, Citroën states that the Numéro 9 refines the brand's design language and signals the styling cues of the next three DS line models including a C-segment premium sedan (think Audi A3 Sedan), an SUV and a D-segment (mid-size) executive saloon. As you can see, Citroën is all hyped up about its DS line, which currently consists of the DS3 supermini, DS4 compact hatch and the larger DS5, and all for good reason as it has notched up more than 200,000 sales worldwide just two years after launch. Citroën doesn't say if the Numéro 9 will result in a production model, but the French carmaker's executives have previously confirmed the brand's intentions to build a flagship model. The Numéro 9 is a follow up to the impressive 2010 Metropolis concept, which was also shown in China. However, the new DS study sports a shooting brake body, while at 4.93m (194.1-inches) long and 1.94m (76.4-inches) wide, with a 3m (118.1-inches) wheelbase, it's also more compact in dimensions than the 5.3m long (208.7-inches) Metropolis. Nevertheless, it's still longer and wider than a Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The French brand claims that it provides plenty of room for rear occupants, adding that the three glass areas in the roof creates "a welcoming, friendly cabin ambience". Citroën tells us that we should take special note of certain design elements such as the new front-end with the sculpted, 3-dimensional grille surround that flows into the full-LED headlights, as well as the floating roof underlined by chrome trim and the glazed side surfaces flowing into the rear window, as these styling cues will appear on the next DS models. Under the hood, Citroën says that the Numéro 9's hybrid powertrain can combine a conventional petrol or diesel engine (depending on the market) with an electric motor on the rear axle that develops 70hp and torque of 200Nm, and which has the added benefit of offering four-wheel drive. The electric motor is powered by lithium-ion batteries that can be recharged in three and-a-half hours from a normal domestic socket providing a range of 50km (around 31miles) in all-electric ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicle) mode. The model that will go on display at the Beijing Motor Show is fitted with a 1.6-liter turbocharged petrol engine (shared with the BMW Group's Mini brand) developing 225hp (165kW) and 275Nm of torque. Together, the combustion engine and electric motor can produce up to 295hp allowing for a 0 to 100km/h (62mph) sprint time of just 5.4 seconds and a top speed of 244km/h (152mph). According to Citroën, if the driver makes use of the car's pure electric mode, the Numéro 9 returns up to 166mpg UK (1.7lt/100km or 138mpg US) over a combined cycle. Needless to say, the Numéro 9 is fitted with a traditional hydraulic active suspension. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
DIMENSIONSLength: 4.93m
Width: 1.94m
Height: 1.27m
Wheelbase: 3m
WEIGHTTotal laden weight: 1,500kg
PLUG-IN HYBRID DRIVETRAIN
1.6 THP petrol engine developing 225hp (165kW) / torque of 275Nm
Electric motor on rear axle: power of 70hp / torque of 200Nm
ZEV mode: range of 50km
PERFORMANCE AND CONSUMPTION0 to 1,000m: 25.3 seconds
0 to 62mph: 5.4 seconds
Top speed: 152mph (244kph)
Consumption: 166mpg (1.7l/100km) over a combined cycle MVEG
CO2 Emissions: 39g/km
AERODYNAMICSCdA: 0.61
RUNNING GEARMICHELIN tyres 245/35 ZR21
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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. 
