Porsche has a history of pushing beyond sports cars to create extraordinary supercars, and now they are embarking on a new venture. Building upon their success with the 918 Spyder, a plug-in hybrid released between 2013 and 2015, Porsche is now exploring the possibility of a fully electric supercar for their next creation.
Introducing the Porsche Mission X concept, recently revealed to the public, this remarkable vehicle blends elements from motorsports, luxury cars, traditional Porsches, and automotive innovation into a captivating design.
Overview of the Porsche 911
The Mission X takes the form of a mid-engine supercar, featuring a short nose, a forward-shifted cabin reminiscent of the C8 Chevrolet Corvette and Audi R8, and an elongated tail. During an automotive media session, Peter Varga, the director of exterior design at Porsche, explained that the car’s battery is located behind the passenger seat, likely in proximity to the power electronics and an electric motor.
Notably, the design of the Mission X distinguishes it from the iconic 911, despite incorporating certain elements common to all Porsche models.
Conceptualizing the Porsche Mission X
The Mission X boasts a fresh appearance, with vertical headlights that showcase four distinct LED light bars. These headlights include a structural webbing feature found throughout the car’s design. The lower portion of the nose encompasses a full-width air intake, serving both aerodynamic and cooling purposes. Unlike most electric vehicles with enclosed faces, the Mission X reveals an open lower fascia, indicating its performance-oriented nature. The overall impression of the front end is that of a compact, yet muscular presence.
The hood slopes downward from the cabin, sitting low at the front to provide excellent forward visibility. It incorporates a depressed center section and air vents at the rear edge. While the concept car lacks a front trunk (frunk), it’s reasonable to expect one in a potential production version.
When viewed from the rear, the front fenders adopt a pontoon-like appearance, creating an inward taper. However, the rear portion of these fenders remains flat to optimize airflow around the tires. The doors are set slightly inward, drawing inspiration from the Carrera GT of 2004-2006 and the 918 Spyder. Lower side skirts, featuring the “Mission X” script, rise up to blend with the rear fenders.
Drawing inspiration from Porsche’s racing heritage, the roof design pays homage to the company’s 906, 907, 908, and 917 race cars from the 1960s and ’70s. It showcases a unique aesthetic that extends the glass paneling to the very top, leaving only a structural spine. The Mission X’s doors open in a scissor-style similar to Lamborghini models. At the top of the windshield, a distinctive oval window, referred to as a Daytona window by Porsche, replaces traditional side mirrors. Instead, rearview cameras are housed within airplane-style shark fin structures located behind the doors.
Contrasting the front fenders, the rear fenders exhibit an enveloped design rather than a pontoon shape. The rear hatch includes a window that provides a rearward view and potentially offers a glimpse of the electric powertrain components.
At the rear of the Mission X, a horizontal theme takes precedence over the vertical theme seen at the front. A taillight bar stretches across the car’s width, with lighted “Porsche” lettering interrupting its center. Similar to the headlights, the LED taillights also incorporate a webbed structure, which is further echoed in the wheel design. A prominent diffuser channels the airflow efficiently off the rear of the vehicle.
Although Porsche has not disclosed the Mission X’s coefficient of drag
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about electric supercar
What is the Porsche Mission X?
The Porsche Mission X is a concept electric supercar that represents Porsche’s exploration of a fully electric vehicle as their next supercar offering.
How does the design of the Mission X differ from the Porsche 911?
While the Mission X draws inspiration from various Porsche models, it features a distinct design that sets it apart from the iconic 911. It showcases a mid-engine layout, a short nose, a forward-shifted cabin, and an elongated tail, giving it a unique appearance.
What are the notable design elements of the Mission X?
The Mission X incorporates vertical headlights with four LED light bars, a full-width open lower fascia, pontoon-like front fenders tapering inward, scissor-style doors, a roof influenced by Porsche’s historic race cars, and a horizontal-themed rear with a taillight bar and a large diffuser.
Is the Mission X a fully electric vehicle?
Yes, the Mission X is envisioned as a battery-electric vehicle (BEV) that foregoes an internal-combustion engine. It represents Porsche’s exploration of electric powertrains for their supercar lineup.
What are some notable features of the Mission X’s interior?
The interior of the Mission X combines race car and luxury elements. It features a steering yoke with integrated controls, a low-profile digital instrument cluster, adjustable pedals, removable seats made of pads, a portrait-style center screen with large buttons for driving convenience, and innovative use of displays and cameras throughout the cabin.
Is the Mission X expected to enter production?
Porsche is currently gathering customer feedback and assessing the business case for the Mission X. If approved, it may take approximately four years before the vehicle hits the market, but no definitive production plans have been announced yet.
More about electric supercar
- Porsche Official Website
- Porsche Mission X Concept
- Porsche 918 Spyder
- C8 Chevrolet Corvette
- Audi R8
- Porsche 911
- Porsche Carrera GT
- Porsche 906
- Porsche 907
- Porsche 908
- Porsche 917
- Porsche Sport Chrono Package