Only the coolest of the cool can tempt Jay Leno out of his garage. This week he makes a road trip to Monterey to see the Porsche 918 Spyder, a plug-in roadster that embodies the highest of tech and speed. Porsche gave us a sneak peek at the prototype back in April. This is the final production version which, by the way, just set a new record at the storied Nürburgring Nordschleife. 

Porsche’s Frank Walliser gives Jay the grand tour. Outside of the Porsche nameplate and a few nuts and bolts, every component has been custom made for this car. A V8 and two electric motors (one in front, one in back) churn out 887 total hp. She’s got a 7-speed PDK transmission, a 6.8 kWh battery, and a 10-15 mile electric range. Walliser claims the US mileage rating will come in at 45 mpg! The body shell is 100% carbon fiber, of course. Jay marvels at the light weight of the hood and the removable roof panels.

Next Jay takes her for a little spin. The traffic prevents him from really opening it up, but he tests all three modes – Hybrid, Sport and Race – and proclaims the new Spyder “the future of the supercar.”

Source: Jay Leno’s Garage