These Three Cars Came with Options That Were Literally Other Vehicles

Porsche turned heads in 2011 when it debuted the 918 Spyder hypercar, capping production at just 918 units and pricing each at $850,000. Delivery didn’t begin until 2014, leaving early buyers in limbo. To sweeten the deal for those willing to wait, Porsche offered an “option” that was essentially another car: the 911 Turbo S ‘Edition 918 Spyder’ based on the 997-generation 911 Turbo S. Limited to 918 units, this package cost an additional $160,700 and packed a 523-horsepower 3.8-liter flat-six paired with a seven-speed PDK transmission.

The package included acid green brake calipers, carbon fiber trim inside and out, and matching green instrument dials. Today, a 918 Spyder is valued at $1,950,000 by Hagerty, while the ‘Edition 918 Spyder’ Turbo S has sold for $176,430 at auction. Maintenance for the 918 is famously brutal; even a basic 12-volt battery costs $12,573.70, and a replacement mirror runs $8,900. Porsche wasn’t the first to bundle another vehicle as an option.

In the 1980s, Honda’s City hatchback came with a 2.5-horsepower, 49cc Motocompo folding moped that fit in a bag behind the rear seats. The moped weighed just under 100 pounds, giving it a power-to-weight ratio of 0.025 horsepower per pound. The City itself started with a 1.2-liter inline-four making as little as 44 horsepower, barely outpacing the Motocompo. The Turbo II version, with an intercooled turbo, pushed output to 108 horsepower.

Volkswagen took a different tack in the 1990s, partnering with Trek to offer special-edition Jetta and Golf models bundled with Trek-branded 21-speed mountain bikes and bike racks. The package debuted in 1996 for $14,500. Volkswagen also collaborated with ski brand K2, including K2-branded racks, unique upholstery, and a choice of skis or a snowboard. While these weren’t full vehicles, they blurred the line between accessories and rolling hardware.