Porsche shook the entire motoring industry when it rolled out a 918 Spyder concept powered by a 500hp V8 which is mated to a trio of electric motors that generate 214 hp. Porsche says its plug-in hybrid will get 78 mpg. Porsche is one of the new players in the hybrid market but it surprised everyone when it unveiled not one but three hybrids. In the build-up to the big show in Geneva, Porsche released teaser images of a number of new models including the new Porsche 911 Turbo S, Porsche Cayenne, and the Panamera. But the renowned German sports car marque didn’t show any signs that it was about to send out shock waves when it finally revealed a jaw-dropping, eco-friendly supercar.

The 918 Spyder looks like a superior version of the now defunct Carrera GT. The 918 Spyder Hybrid concept is a high-performance mid-engined sports car with plug-in hybrid technology, and thanks to its hybrid powertrain, it can go from 0 to 62mph in under 3.2 seconds. The 918 can also do a lap of the world-famous Nürburgring Nordschleife racing track in less than 7 minutes and 30 seconds, which Porsche says is faster than the original Carrera GT!  So you’re most likely looking at what could well be the world’s fastest green machine. Even with these impressive figures, Porsche claims an average fuel consumption of 94 miles to the gallon and gives off emissions of just 70g/km CO2.

The car is constructed on a modular monocoque bodyshell made of carbon reinforced plastic, along with aluminium and magnesium. The result is a curb weight of only 3,284lbs(1,490kg), despite having to carry the combustion engine, the batteries and the electric motors. The hybrid powertrain combines a V8 with electric motors on both the front and rear axle. The rear wheels are driven by the V8 and an electric motor via 7-speed Porsche PDK dual clutch transmission, while the front axle’s electric motors drive the wheels through a fixed transmission ratio. These motors are powered by a liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery mounted behind the passenger cell. The 918 can function in four different modes. In Hybrid mode, it employs both the electric motors and the combustion engine but shuts either off depending on conditions. The Sport Hybrid mode uses both electric and V8 power all the time, with most of the drive power channeled to the rear wheels. In Race Hybrid mode, both power sources work together, however, there is a ‘push to pass button that provides extra power for overtaking maneuvers. Lastly, the E-Drive mode allows the car to run on electric power for only 25km only.

Porsche made no mention if it plans to put the 918 into production. But judging by the flurry of excitement caused by this “hyper-hybrid” supercar, it won’t be surprising to see it rolling off the production line in the future.