CGX car nut:
 

I remain mystified by the bang or pop that occurs at the 49 second mark in the video you posted.  Notice that after the pop, flames appear under the car, almost as if a waste gate was activated; however, the V8 is normally aspirated and the exhaust is routed to the upper section of the engine cover.  This raises the question: Has Porsche released all the details of the technologies embodied in the 918?

 

My guess was a misfire, or he popped a gasket or something. Just a wild guess. Could also be a rocket motor Smiley