What the car is and where it came from
A limited-production, mid-engine, plug-in-hybrid sports car manufactured by Porsche. Production ran from 18 September 2013 to June 2015. It debuted as a concept at the 80th Geneva Motor Show in March 2010; the production version launched at the September 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show.
How it works, in terms someone would actually use
It uses a mid-mounted naturally aspirated 4.6 L V8 engine and two electric motors. It runs on petrol, electricity, or both. Its 6.8 kWh lithium-ion battery gives 12 mi (19 km) of all-electric range under EPA testing.
What it gets right
It gets the layout right: mid-engine, plug-in hybrid, driver-focused. It delivers electric torque fill and high-revving V8 character in one package. The concept-to-production path—from Geneva 2010 to Frankfurt 2013—was tight and purposeful.
What it does not
It does not hide its compromises. The hybrid system adds complexity and weight. Recalls for front and rear control arms breaking and seat belt faults show unresolved durability trade-offs.
What it changed
It proved plug-in hybrid architecture could serve extreme performance, not just efficiency. It was Porsche’s second plug-in hybrid, following the 2014 Panamera S E-Hybrid, but the first to place the system in a mid-engine sports car.
Who it is for, and who it is not
It is for engineers, collectors, and drivers who prioritise technical coherence over bulletproof reliability. It is not for anyone who expects fault-free ownership from a low-volume hybrid supercar.
Is it worth your time
Yes—if you need proof that hybrid drivetrains can deliver supercar responsiveness without sacrificing immediacy. No—if reliability is non-negotiable, given half a dozen recalls including control arm and seat belt failures.
