The Porsche 918 Spyder takes shape

To the uninitiated, the addition of a racing-style livery on the new Porsche 918 Spyder merely underlines the hybrid supercar's Nürburgring credentials. But those in the know will appreciate the subtle nod to Porsche's very own 917; a model once described as the greatest racing car in history, and one that took the Le Mans crown two years in a row.

Viewed as such, the addition of this livery is less a reflection of glory, more a trumpeting of intent: this car is serious on the business of performance.

But then we already knew that, because we've already had a shotgun ride in a very, very, very early prototype. Porsche has now released these lovely pictures of its upcoming halo model to let us know the first prototypes have been finished, and unlike the car we got to sit in, sports a body. A full carbon fibre reinforced plastic monocoque. That's good.

You should of course, know everything there is to know about the Porsche 918 Spyder, but if you need a quick recap, click here. It's got a 4.6-litre V8 that revs to 9,000rpm; its got two electric motors; it's a four-wheel-drive, 770hp green machine.

Oh, and about those Nürburgring credentials: Porsche reckons it will lap the terrifyingly green and terrifyingly terrifying circuit in 7m 22secs. That's ten whole seconds quicker than a Carrera GT. Reasonably fast, then.