Porsche Mission X concept inspired by Le Mans racers paves way for new electric supercar
Already targeting a Nürburgring record
As part of the 75th anniversary celebrations marking the creation of Porsche’s first sports car, the German maker has revealed the Mission X, an electric hypercar concept that points towards a future model.
Porsche has confirmed that it’s looking into the feasibility of making the Mission X a production reality, with targets including a 1bhp per kilo power-to-weight ratio, aerodynamics that create more downforce than a current 911 GT3 RS and charging speeds that are twice as fast as a Taycan Turbo S’s. Porsche is also aiming to set the fastest lap time of any road-legal car around the Nürburgring Nordschleife.
Speaking at the car’s unveiling, Porsche’s chairman Oliver Blume revealed the car’s intent: “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.
“Daring to dream and dream cars are two sides of the same coin for us: Porsche has only remained Porsche by constantly changing.”
Shorter than a Porsche 911
The Mission X measures 4.5 metres long (which is shorter than a current 911) and two metres wide, while a wheelbase (distance from the centre of the front wheels to the centre of the rears) of 2.73 metres is similar to that of the Carrera GT and 918 Spyder. In plan view the Mission X bears a resemblance to the two previous Porsche hypercars, too.
There are 20in wheels up front and 21in rims at the rear, shod in high-performance Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tyres.
Low-slung bodywork is finished in “Rocket Metallic”, a colour created for the Mission X, with satin-finished carbon-fibre details on lower sections of the car.
There are racing car-style butterfly doors inspired by the likes of the Porsche 917 and 956/962 Le Mans racers, while the slender LED headlights take inspiration from the vertical light stacks used by the 906 and 908 sports racing cars.
At the rear, there’s a full-width light bar incorporating illuminated Porsche lettering, where the ‘E’ of the name pulses when the Mission X is being charged. Porsche’s new crest badge, which was revealed earlier in June, makes its debut on the Mission X concept.
Luxurious interior despite the focus on speed
Inside, the cabin offers luxury that is in contrast to the racing-inspired exterior.
There are different colours for the driver and passenger seat upholstery, with the driver’s seat matching the centre console and dashboard to give the impression of a race-focused cockpit. The seats themselves are made from carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic and are integrated into the car’s chassis, while six-point racing harnesses are included.
The passenger also gets a mounting bracket in front of them to fit a special stopwatch module that’s been created by Porsche Design, which features digital and analogue clocks, plus current driving data.
Michael Mauer, head of Style Porsche, said: “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.
“The concept study symbolises a symbiosis of unmistakable motor sport DNA with a luxurious overall impression.”
It’s electric – but details are scant
Under the skin, the Mission X will have a pure-electric powertrain, although the only information currently offered is that lightweight construction is an important part of the car’s development, and the battery will be mounted behind the seats to allow for a lower roofline.
Beyond that, it’s just the mission statements that provide an indication of the car’s potential performance, so we can expect a power output in excess of 1,000bhp to match the weight of the vehicle.
The Mission X was unveiled ahead of the Le Mans weekend, where Porsche will compete for honours with its new 963 racer.
Related articles
- If you were interested in the Porsche Mission X concept, you may want to read all about Porsche’s 2023 Le Mans competitor, the 963 hybrid
- Also check out our guide to this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed
- And don’t miss our look at the radical new Peugeot endurance racer
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