FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK DENNIS POWER In this edition of the magazine I have the good fortune to write about my time at Rennsport Reunion 7. As expected, there was an overwhelming number of cars from Porsche’s racing history, with too many internal manufacturer’s numbers to keep them all straight. I was, however, especially looking forward to seeing the concept cars to be shown. One was the Mission X and the other the 357. If you’ve been keeping up with the reports about the release of the Mission X, you’ll know it is a visionary look at the future of the hypercar: a lightweight, all-electric vehicle with a power-to-weight ratio of 1:1, which would make it one of the most powerful and agile cars ever built. To get this way it uses a centrally mounted battery pack that provides a low center of gravity and optimal weight distribution. There are four electric motors that power each wheel independently,
providing all-wheel drive and torque vectoring capabilities. The lightweight carbon fiber body reduces weight and improves performance, and the sleek and aerodynamic design maximizes downforce and efficiency. The Mission X has big ramifications for the company. It is a sign that Porsche is serious about developing electric vehicles and key features like the carbon fiber body and all-wheel drive electric powertrain could be incorporated in future production models, such as the next generation 911. It demonstrates, again, Porsche’s commitment to innovation and the vision for the future of the hypercar.
The Porsche 357 concept, on the other hand, is a modern interpretation of the iconic 356 sports car. It also features a sleek and aerodynamic design with a number of key features that hint at the future of Porsche: a fully electric powertrain with a single
motor mounted on the rear axle; lightweight construction with materials such as carbon fiber and aluminum; and advanced technologies, including heads-up display, a digital instrument cluster, and a variety of assistance systems. The car will have a power-toweight ratio of 1:1, making it also one of the most powerful and agile electric vehicles ever built. As with the Mission X, the 357 concept is a significant development for Porsche. It represents the company’s vision for the future of the sports car and shows that the company is committed to developing electric vehicles that are not only powerful and agile, but also stylish and desirable. The 357 concept could be a precursor to a future production model. Porsche has already stated that it is planning to launch its first fully electric sports car, the 718, in 2025. I saw nothing I didn’t like in the Mission X. As for the 357, I like it a lot, but for many the design details in its execution will take some getting used to. While the silhouette of the 357 is reminiscent of the 356, the rest of the execution is somewhat of a departure from Porsche DNA. Both concepts are stunning in their ways and represent the best of Porsche’s design and engineering capabilities. They are also a sign of the company’s commitment to the future.
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