Porsche 918 Spyder: V8 plug-in hybrid

We like surprises, especially ones that have the words V8, hybrid, Porsche, plug-in, mid-engine and spyder in them.

Updated: this gallery now contains more details about the 918 Spyder's specifications and technology.

The 918 Spyder concept car is powered by a 3.4-litre V8 pumping out 373kW of power. This is augmented by three electric motors capable of delivering 160kW.

This hybrid sports car is of the plug-in variety, so it can be recharged overnight or as you slave away on planet cube farm. Flat out it can accelerate from zero to 100km/h in 3.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 320km/h. Driven more sedately Porsche claims fuel economy of 3L/100km and CO2 emissions of 70g/km.

The 918 Spyder seats just two passengers and the V8 petrol engine is mounted between them and the rear axle. Thanks to the floating centre console, the cabin bears an uncanny resemblance to 2004's Carerra GT supercar.

With a body made from carbon fibre reinforced plastic, as well as magnesium and aluminium, the 918 Spyder weighs less than 1490kg.

Porsche claims that 918 Spyder can do a lap of the Nurburgring Nordschleife track in less than 7:30 minutes. That's faster than the Porsche Carrera GT supercar (7:32), Koenigsegg CCR (7:34), Nissan GT-R (7:38) and Pagani Zonda S (7:44).

In terms of layout, the 3.4-litre V8 (4) drives the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (5). Also driving the wheels are two electric motors, one for the front wheels (1 and 2) and one for the rear (6 and 7). Feeding these two motors is a Lithium-ion battery pack (3).

There are four driving modes available to 918 drivers: E-Drive, Hybrid, Sport Hybrid and Race Hybrid.

In E-Drive mode the 918 can be driven up to 25km on electric power alone. In Hybrid mode the car will dynamically mix and match electric and petrol power, while Sports Hybrid does a similar thing but apportions more torque to the rear wheels for a sportier drive.

The final driving mode, Race Hybrid, enables the driver to use the E-Boost button, which delivers a brief burst of electric power suitable for, say, overtaking manoeuvres.

The 918's interior lighting changes from green to red depending on which driving mode you're in.

The central LCD screen has a Range Manager function that displays on a map what your projected range is, allowing the driver to choose how hard or soft they want to drive. The floating central column's entertainment, climate and car controls are operated via a touch-sensitive interface that's augmented by a few physical dials and buttons.