Is it a teaser of the 918 Spyder production model?

Has Porsche just shown us a teaser of how the production series of the 918 Spyder may look like when it is launched into the market as a production model? The German supersports car brand published on its media website a photo that shows a designer working on a clay model of the 918 Spyder.

Still there is no date reference, so we can’t know if the picture was taken while developing the 918 Spyder Concept presented at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, or if it is a recent photo.

What we can say is that this 1:3 scale clay model shows a partial view of the car with what seems to be a single side-fitted exhaust pipe.

During the summer Porsche confirmed production of the 918 Spyder, releasing a statement from Michael Macht, president and chairman of the board of management of Porsche AG, saying: "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."

Porsche invests in Weissach’s development centre

The picture of a designer working on a 1:3 scale clay model was published because of the announcement of an investment by Porsche on the its research and development centre in Weissach (Baden-Württemberg). The German brand will be investing around 150 million euros in a high-tech wind tunnel, a state-of-the-art design centre and an innovative electronics integration centre.

The new wind tunnel will help Porsche also meet future requirements on vehicle development, which is increasingly focussing on energy efficiency. According to Wolfgang Dürheimer, Porsche AG Board of Management Member for Research and Development “The new system will help us to maintain Porsche's top position in the fields of aerodynamics and design and to further extend our lead. Outstanding design with optimal aerodynamic efficiency have always been classic Porsche strongholds.”