Porsche’s electrified hypercar: An homage to LeMans
Innovative is an understatement. In fact, the Porsche Mission X concept seems to make a huge statement as it echoes all of the right characteristics of the electric hypercar industry of today.
As the manufacturer of the incredibly popular electric vehicle (EV), the Taycan, Porsche is stepping things up and celebrating the first public view of its hypercar concept currently known as Mission X.
The car is an homage to the company’s racing heritage, and now 75 years of Porsche Sport Car production, but also represents how technology has evolved, bringing the German automaker into the future of automotive.
“The Porsche Mission X is a technology beacon for the sports car of the future. It picks up the torch of iconic sports cars of decades past: like the 959, the Carrera GT and the 918 Spyder before it, the Mission X provides critical impetus for the evolutionary development of future vehicle concepts,” says Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche AG.
“Daring to dream and dream cars are two sides of the same coin for us: Porsche has only remained Porsche by constantly changing.”
It measures approximately 4.5 metres in length and two metres in width with a low stance but huge presence. However, as described by Porsche, this seems to be labelled as a relatively ‘compact hypercar’. Nevertheless, Porsche has attempted to retain the finesse of its heritage and put the company on the electrified hypercar trajectory.
Reinterpreting Porsche’s unique design principles
Despite taking the low-slung hypercar shape that we all know and love, Porsche is all about retaining the essence of its brand. Beyond the modernised badge of the car, Mission X features all the right components of its category, including a carbon-fibre-reinforced exoskeleton over the top and Le Mans-style gullwing doors for light weight and high-grade aesthetics.
On the inside, there’s no mistaking where the Mission X pilot should be positioned as the driver’s seat features a sharp, two-colour design and the steering wheel’s white also matches that of its handler’s bucket seat.
“The Mission X is a clear commitment to the core of the brand. The continuing, enhanced expression of our brand and product identity is an important compass for us to navigate the development of our series-production models,” says Michael Mauer, Head of Style at Porsche.
“The concept study symbolises a symbiosis of unmistakable motorsport DNA with a luxurious overall impression.”
Striving for the best in EV performance
Porsche embodies e-performance while also leading the way in sustainable mobility. The concept study successfully accomplishes both objectives. Here are the envisioned goals for the Mission X if it enters production:
- Set a new record as the fastest road-legal vehicle on the Nürburgring Nordschleife.
- Achieve an impressive power-to-weight ratio of approximately one horsepower per kilogram.
- Surpass the current 911 GT3 RS by delivering exceptional downforce values.
- Offer a significantly enhanced charging experience with its 900-volt system architecture, enabling charging speeds twice as fast as Porsche's current flagship, the Taycan Turbo S.
To optimise the car's balance, the battery is centrally positioned behind the seats, following an "e-core layout." This arrangement ensures that the vehicle's mass is concentrated at the centre, providing exceptional agility similar to conventionally powered mid-engined cars.
