Porsche Confirms “Baby” Supercar

Porsche AG CEO Matthias Mueller confirms the company is developing a small supercar to fit between its $245,000 911 GT2 RS sports car and upcoming $1 million 918 Spyder gasoline-electric supercar.

Mueller told the German newspaper Handelsblatt two weeks ago that Porsche was considering such a car. Auto Express reports that he has now confirmed the project.

The British enthusiast magazine speculates the two-seater will be named the 961. It says the car will borrow styling cues and technology including a carbon-fiber-reinforced body from the 918.

The 961 is likely to use the same 4.6-liter V-8 engine intended for the 918, according to Auto Express. It predicts the mill will make 570 hp and propel the 961 from zero to 62 mph in about three seconds. If those performance figures are accurate, the magazine notes, the car will compete directly with the Ferrari 458 Italia and McLaren 12C supercars.