Video: Is this the production Porsche 918 Spyder?

A video of a full size clay model of the new Porsche 918 has recently surfaced on YouTube. It appears to be shot during a customer preview in the US (Porsche hasn’t officially confirmed this), as evident from side marker lights on the sides of the car, a requirement for North American compliance.

The 918 in the video also differs from the various concepts and prototypes running around in that it has lost its side exhaust pipes. There is also the inclusion of a new air intake just in front of the rear wheels. Fortunately, much of the car’s dramatic design is carried over from the concept to the road car.

The production car will feature a V8 Hybrid system. The 4.6-litre naturally aspirated V8 generating 419kW (562hp/570PS) will be assisted by two electric motors – one at the front, one at the rear, providing a combined output of around 597kW (800hp/812PS).

Despite the colossal output, the car is said to average around 3.0l/100km. Porsche’s flagship is due to hit the market towards the end of 2013.