On 75th Anniversary, Porsche Unveils Electric Concept Supercar, Declares an Electric Future
On the 75th anniversary of the iconic sports car brand, Porsche has unveiled a study of a fully electric hypercar called the Mission X, signaling that the future for the company is undeniably electric.
Porsche CEO Oliver Blume revealed the concept at the brand’s Zuffenhausen headquarters, saying, “The Mission X is our commitment to the sports car core of the Porsche brand. It bridges the gap from hybrid to fully electric drive.”
The Mission X aims to inherit the legacy of the 918 Spyder, a groundbreaking supercar that set a Nürburgring Nordschleife lap time of 6:57 minutes. The new electric concept is expected to surpass this impressive feat.
A Technological Beacon for the Sports Car of the Future
Blume emphasized that the Mission X is a technological beacon for the sports car of the future, following in the footsteps of the company’s legendary super sports cars, such as the 959 and Carrera GT. The compact design features extremely short overhangs and a relatively long wheelbase of 2.73 meters.
The vehicle pays homage to classic Porsche race cars with design elements such as forward-opening Le Mans-style doors and vertical headlights inspired by the Porsche 906 and 908. The rear is characterized by a floating light unit and an illuminated Porsche logo that pulses with an “E” during charging.
A Glimpse of the Future through a Glass Window
In contrast to traditional hypercars showcasing their engines, the Mission X offers a view of its battery through a glass window. The battery is central to the 900-volt system architecture, enabling ultra-fast charging times and a potential peak charging power of over 500 kW. The central position of the battery also contributes to the vehicle’s neutral cornering behavior.
The Mission X is expected to have a top speed of over 300 km/h (186 mph) and a 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) time of less than three seconds.
Lightweight Construction and Power-to-Weight Ratio
Lightweight construction is crucial for electric vehicles, and the Mission X features a carbon fiber composite glass dome and carbon fiber reinforced plastic seat shells integrated into the monocoque. Porsche aims for a power-to-weight ratio of one kilogram per horsepower, hinting at well over 1,000 horsepower if the car goes into production.
Porsche’s Electric Future
The 75th anniversary celebration confirmed that Porsche’s future is electric. The company aims for 80% of all vehicles to have fully electric powertrains by 2030. The E-Macan will be released in 2024, followed by electric versions of the 718 models, including the Cayman and Boxster. An electric SUV above the Cayenne has also been announced.
While autonomous driving technology continues to advance, Porsche is committed to preserving the driver’s experience. Chief designer and vice president Michael Mauer predicted, “The last car with a steering wheel will be a Porsche.”
