Those rumors Porsche promises to launch its new sports car on their series in the gap among the 911 along with the 918 are gaining a bit more traction, because of a new report claiming the car is under development.

Do those 3 numbers sound common? They should-961 was the rally car version with the 959. Such as the 959, the main 961 was powered by a 2.85 liter flat-six turbocharged, but the Twenty-first century version will reportedly use an appropriately revolutionary powertrain: V8 powering corner wheels, by having an electric hybrid motor providing juice to the front tires. The combined output must be around 600 horsepower-around 120 less compared to the 918 Spyder. Styling apparently is drawn from the 918 RSR concept see at the Detroit Auto Show.

Although it’ll be down a number of ponies versus its supercar brother, the 961’s lower cost tag should help it become an attractive proposition; the car will reportedly opt for €200,000, which computes to $300,000 at today’s exchange rates-35 percent with the 918’s $845,000 cost tag. The vehicle will supposedly be available by the end of 2013.

Within our honest opinion, this report sounds a little fishy. The 918 Spyder will probably be hit the streets in 2013-would Porsche really undercut their techno-marvel halo auto by releasing a auto with a comparable powertrain, comparable looks and (presumably) similar performance for one-third the price that identical year? We’re betting there will likely be a mid-engined V8 coupe from Zuffenhausen in the next couple of years, but it’ll arrive soon after the thrill from your 918 has died down-and it’ll almost certainly possess a powertrain a lot more paying homage to a Panamera than Porsche’s $850K supercar. But that’s just the guess.