Porsche Mission R electric GT car revealed; hints at future Cayman, Boxster models
The Mission R hints at future electric Porsche styling. Images: Porsche AG
The Porsche Mission R concept vehicle is a GT-class electric racecar that is sure to either elicit elation or loathing from Porsche fans. It's got the looks and it’s got the power (800 kW or 1,088 PS to be exact), but petrol heads will bemoan the electrification of track-focused Porsches, and the lack of roaring flat six engines.
The exterior design explores traditional Porsche design elements; namely the four-point LED headlights, pronounced front and rear guards, and wide, full-length brake light. We love the cutaway guards at the rear, and the simplicity of the curved glasshouse.
We expect this design study to not only morph into a production EV racing Porsche, but also the next-generation 718 Cayman range with a fully electric drive train. The size and proportions are right, and Porsche could be hinting at future models with the Mission R. Porsche states that the Porsche Mission R is slightly shorter than the current 718 Cayman series.
An electric motor with up to 320 kW (435 PS) powers the front axle of the Mission R, while a maximum of 480 kW (653 PS) is delivered to the rear. The Mission R features 900-volt technology and Porsche Turbo Charging, which the automaker claims can charge the battery from 5 to 80 percent in 15-minutes.
The all-wheel drive car delivers just under 1,100 PS in qualifying mode accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in less than 2.5 seconds. The top speed is over 300 km/h (186 mph).
Although performance is the primary focus, Porsche says the body of the Mission R is largely made of natural fibre reinforced plastic (NFRP), the basic material of which is made from flax fibres obtained from farming. This material is also used on the interior of the concept car.
The interior is a spectacular place to be, and is full of driver-focused advanced technology. An ergonomically placed display between the controls on the steering wheel shows relevant data during the race, and an additional screen above the steering column shows the images from the side mirror cameras and the central rear-view mirror camera. A touch display to the right of the seat can be used to call up the driver's biometric data, for instance. Numerous other cameras in the interior can be used to provide exciting sequences for a live stream transmission.
The Mission R is a breathtaking and flamboyant vision of Porsche’s electric future, and a perfect show-stopper at IAA Mobility Munich. In its press release, Porsche not-so-subtly reminded us that both the Mission E and Mission E Cross Turismo concept studies became production models with only a few changes in appearance and technology. Let’s hope the electric Cayman and Boxster models look as good as this.
