Porsche, renowned for its innovative concept cars, is ready to set the pace for the future with its latest venture, the Mission X. This high-performance hypercar is an awe-inspiring reinterpretation of its genre. It features doors akin to those found on Le Mans-style race cars, opening upwards and forwards, and is powered by an efficient electric powertrain that doesn’t skimp on performance.
Set to be unveiled on June 8, 2023, this captivating two-seater marks the opening of the ’75 Years of Porsche Sports Cars’ exhibition at the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen. This date holds significance for Porsche, mirroring the day 75 years ago when the first-ever Porsche automobile, the 356 ‘No. 1’ Roadster, was licensed for general use. The event signaled the dawn of an iconic sports car brand.
Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche AG, emphasizes that the Mission X is an emblem of the sports car of the future. It’s in the lineage of classic sports cars like the 959, Carrera GT, and the 918 Spyder, that have served as catalysts in the evolutionary development of Porsche’s vehicle concepts. For Porsche, innovation and dream cars are intertwined, each fueling the other to keep the brand vibrant and evolving.
According to Michael Mauer, Head of Style Porsche, the Mission X encapsulates the brand’s core essence. It guides the development of their production models by enhancing the expression of the Porsche brand and product identity. The design study symbolizes a fusion of unmistakable motorsport DNA with a luxurious allure.
The Mission X concept study outlines a rather compact hypercar, roughly 4.5 meters in length and two meters in width. Its dimensions echo those of the Carrera GT and 918 Spyder, with a wheelbase of 2.73 meters. The concept car exhibits mixed-size tires for aerodynamic efficiency, featuring 20-inch wheels at the front and 21-inch wheels at the rear.
When it comes to design, the Mission X is the epitome of modern luxury and peak performance. Its muscular, sculpted form suggests that hypercars don’t need to project aggression. It flaunts an elegant paint color, Rocket Metallic, specially designed for the concept study, applied on a bodywork that stands less than 1.2 meters tall. Carbon-weave finish design elements can be found below the beltline, slightly tinted yet showcasing their material structure.
The wheels feature intricate details, like the nearly transparent aeroblades on the rear axle. These are designed similar to turbines, enhancing brake cooling. Over the two occupants, a lightweight glass dome extends, its exoskeleton made from carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic. The A-pillar and roof bear the Le Mans-style doors, harking back to the legendary Porsche 917 racing car. The light signature of Mission X presents a refreshing take on the characteristic Porsche four-point graphic. When activated, the LED light modules create a captivating spectacle.
A highlight at the rear of the Mission X is the full-length light unit that appears floating. Transparent Porsche lettering illuminates prominently. As the vehicle charges, the ‘E’ in the Porsche lettering pulsates, giving the vehicle an aura of intrigue. The Mission X also debuts the modernized Porsche crest, a symbol of the brand’s character, rendered in brushed precious metal, a three-dimensional honeycomb structure, and subtle gold color.
Inside, the driver-centric design is clear, highlighted by the asymmetry of the interior and its color scheme. The two seats feature different colors – Kalahari Grey for the driver’s seat, aligning with the dashboard and center console, and a contrasting Andalusia Brown for the passenger seat. The car is equipped with multiple cameras for recording the drive, activated by pressing the Record button on the controller.
The passenger side features a bayonet system in the instrument panel to attach a special stopwatch module by Porsche Design. This stopwatch can display lap times, driver vital data, and more, designed to cater to both racetrack and rally use.
In line with Porsche’s mission to pioneer sustainable mobility, the Mission X stands as a testament to e-performance. The concept study integrates visions for the hypercar – if it enters series production, it’s aimed to be the fastest road-legal vehicle on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, have a power-to-weight ratio of approximately one PS per kilogram, deliver downforce values exceeding those of the current 911 GT3 RS, and charge twice as fast as the Taycan Turbo S due to its 900-volt system architecture. The battery, positioned centrally behind the seats, centralizes the vehicle’s mass, laying the foundation for exceptional agility.
The Porsche 959 (1985), Carrera GT (2003), and 918 Spyder (2013) set the stage for super sports cars, each marking milestone moments in their times. They serve as the conceptual predecessors for the Mission X. Now, Porsche aspires to uphold this e-performance standard with Mission X, aiming for it to be the fastest road-legal vehicle on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, if it enters series production.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Porsche Mission X
The Porsche Mission X is a high-performance electric hypercar concept from Porsche. It’s a revolutionary reinterpretation of the hypercar genre, combining top performance with sustainable electric mobility. Its distinct features include Le Mans-style doors and an efficient powertrain. This dramatic-looking two-seater is set to be unveiled on June 8, 2023, marking the commencement of the ’75 Years of Porsche Sports Cars’ exhibition at the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen.
Porsche has set ambitious goals for the performance of the Mission X. If it transitions into series production, the hypercar is intended to be the fastest road-legal vehicle around the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Other aims include achieving a power-to-weight ratio of about one PS per kilogram and surpassing the downforce values delivered by the current Porsche 911 GT3 RS. The vehicle’s 900-volt system architecture also aims to significantly enhance charging performance, potentially charging twice as fast as Porsche’s current frontrunner, the Taycan Turbo S.
Source
Porsche: Website
