What's all this about?

This is Porsche showing off a new engine. It's a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged unit.

Ah, this is the new motor for the 718 Boxster, right?

Wrong. This is the first time we've seen pictures of the engine that secured the awesome 919 Hybrid a 1-2 finish at the 2015 24 Hours of Le Mans. The unit that powered the 919 to the Manufacturers' and Drivers' World Endurance Championship titles in the same season.

Crikey, has it really never been seen before?

Not out of the car like this. Running around 500hp in race trim, with a further 400hp coming from the electric hybrid systems, this is the most efficient combustion engine Porsche has ever built. The 919 Hybrid engine will be on display at race events, exhibitions and the Porsche Museum in Zuffenhausen, so if you fancy seeing it up close and personal, you know where to go.

Well, this is all very nice, but what's the purpose of this escapade?

You were oh-so-close earlier on. Porsche is using this technology to develop the engine for the 718 Boxster. Indeed, Porsche claims the road-going roadster's unit 'picks up technology and know-how from the racing power pack' - including the space between the cylinders, its short stroke and the central direct fuel injection. However, the 919's unit is a 90-degree V4, whereas the Boxster will get a 'boxer'; a horizontally opposed four-pot. Nevertheless, when you're moaning about the forthcoming Boxster and Cayman models going to four-cylinder power, remember they're (very distantly) linked to a car that triumphed at La Sarthe. That's got to be worth something.