“In Porsche’s view, just as the Carrera GT was the street version of the LMP 2000, so its 918 Spyder is a street version of the current Le Mans Series RS Spyder;” thus declared Excellence magazine soon after the 918’s unveiling as a concept at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show.

This incredible hypercar followed in the tracks of other brilliant and technically advanced vehicles conceived by Porsche, including the turbocharged, all-wheel-drive 959 and the Carrera GT, and was received in similar fashion. The carbon fiber-laden 918 is considered a “parallel full hybrid,” with three separate engines: The one noticed first is the midship-mounted 608 bhp, gas-burning, 4.6-liter four-cam V-8. This fascinating engine produces almost exactly the same power as that of the 5.7-liter Formula-1-inspired V-10 of the Carrera GT. It features dry-sump lubrication, direct injection, variable camshaft timing (Variocam), no external ancillary drive belts, and an Iconel exhaust system that exits between the cylinder banks at the top of the engine, which Porsche calls Internal Hot Side, or IHS.

This advanced V-8 engine is mated to a hybrid module and decoupler unit driving the rear axle through a seven-speed dual-clutch (PDK) transmission to a hydraulically locking rear differential. The hybrid module consists of a 154-bhp AC electric motor that operates in parallel with the gas engine and also serves as the main electrical generator. A second electric motor producing an additional 127 bhp is mounted at the front axle and operates through an electric clutch. When all three powerplants are operating in unison, the 918 develops a massive 887 combined horsepower and over 900 foot-pounds of torque. The standard Porsche 918 Spyder boasts a power-to-weight ratio of 4.23 pounds per horsepower, while the lighter Weissach version reduces that stunning figure to a mere 4 pounds per horsepower.

Delivering that massive urge through both front and rear axles, this ground-bound missile can hurtle to 62 mph in barely over two seconds and deliver a maximum track speed well north of 200 mph. Along with the carbon-fiber rear wing, the undertray and rear diffuser help pin the car to the pavement at speed.

Heat energy normally wasted through braking is recovered through a regenerative system and sent to a 312-cell lithium-ion liquid-cooled battery pack mounted behind the passenger compartment. This battery pack can also be replenished via an external plug-in universal charger on the right-side of the car. Because the car can be driven on battery power alone, it is classed as an Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle.

Within the cockpit is very business-like; the multifunction leather-wrapped sport steering wheel allows the driver to select from E-Power, Hybrid, Sport Hybrid, Race Hybrid, and Hot Lap drive modes, while the Porsche Active Aerodynamics (PAA) system offers a choice between Start, Speed, and Performance modes. An elevated center console contains a seven-inch touchscreen with Black Panel Technology, supplementing an eight-inch information display that includes Porsche’s Communication Management (PCM) and navigation module employing an HTML5 platform with Bluetooth. The single windshield wiper arm has a rain-sensing function. The driver’s seat is electrically height-adjustable, and both the driver and passenger are protected by multiple airbags. The security system includes an immobilizer and ultrasonic interior monitoring.

The 918’s Geneva debut sparked rave reviews. After thousands of potential buyers signaled their interest, Porsche declared its intent to produce no more than 918 street-legal examples of these cars for road use. The production version was shown at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, and the first examples left the factory in December of that year. U.S. sales began in mid-2014, and it is believed that only 306 units were reserved for American buyers.

As if the basic 918 was not impressive enough, Porsche offered an even more exclusive version,

the Weissach package, reportedly limited to just 230 units. The 918 was put on a diet, with magnesium alloy center-lock wheels, lighter-weight Alcantara instead of leather interior trim, fire-resistant fabric upholstery, lighter door-pull straps, and six-point harnesses. The otherwise standard air-conditioning was deleted, with the glove box and Burmester stereo entertainment system becoming optional, contributing to a weight savings of some 100 pounds.

This virtually unused example has had but a single owner, and has recorded just 270 miles from new. It was ordered in “Paint-to-Sample” Metallic Oryx White with an Onyx Black interior piped in contrasting silver. This special Weissach edition also features the factory-applied Matte Black wrap and the iconic Martini livery. Additional options on this car included a front axle lift system, a glare-reducing interior package, two-zone climate control, cup holder, Homelink, a seat-pad for the lightweight driver’s bucket seat, and a “Special Wishes” extended-length external charging cable that stores in the upholstered front luggage bay. Recently serviced per its factory-recommended schedule at a cost of approximately $7,000, this car is also supplied with its original window sticker, books, tools, and service records.

This is certainly among the lowest-original-mileage Porsche 918s available and offers an incredibly rare opportunity to the serious Porsche collector to acquire a tour de force of advanced technology.