Porsche Mission X

Mission X is a spectacular reinterpretation of a hypercar, with Le Mans-style doors that open upwards to the front and a high-performance, efficient electric powertrain.

Measuring approximately 4.5 meters long and two meters wide, the Mission X concept study is a relatively compact hypercar. With a wheelbase of 2.73 meters, it has the Carrera GT and 918 Spyder dimensions. The concept car has mixed-size tires for aerodynamic purposes, with 20-inch wheels at the front and 21-inch wheels at the rear.

Design: classic brand elements reinterpreted
The Mission X represents the pinnacle of performance and modern luxury. At the same time, it is sculpted form and muscular lines demonstrate that hypercars don't have to look aggressive. The low-slung bodywork, which is less than 1.2 meters tall, is finished in Rocket Metallic - an elegant paint color specially designed for the concept study. Design elements in a carbon-weave finish are found below the beltline. Therefore, these components are varnished in a satin finish and are slightly colored, but their material structure remains recognizable.

The wheels of the concept study feature elaborate details: the rear axle is fitted with almost transparent aero blades, which are designed like turbines for better cooling of the brakes. A lightweight glass dome with an exoskeleton made of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic extends over both occupants. The Le Mans-style doors are attached to the A-pillar and the roof; they open forwards and upwards. This door type was previously used on the legendary Porsche 917 racing car. Another eye-catcher is the light signature: the designers have reinterpreted the characteristic Porsche four-point graphic for the Mission X. The vertical base form of the headlights was inspired by historic racing cars such as the Porsche 906 and 908 and drawn well down towards the road. A high-tech support structure frames the LED light modules and presents the exposed narrow elements of daytime running lights and indicators. When activated, the light opens up like an eye blinking open. Fully illuminated, the headlights make a confident statement.

A full-length light unit that appears to float characterizes the rear of the Mission X. Transparent, illuminated Porsche lettering is a standout feature. The sculptural rear light emerges as if suspended in the air from a modern support structure and extends across the entire vehicle width in four segments. While charging, the "E" of the Porsche lettering pulsates, adding a sense of mystery.

One unique detail is the modernized Porsche crest, which makes its debut on the Mission X. Brushed precious metal, a three-dimensional honeycomb structure, a refreshed heraldic beast, and a more subtle gold color - on close inspection, and these are the differences between the modernized Porsche crest and its immediate forerunner. With its cleaner and more state-of-the-art execution, the refined crest communicates the character of Porsche. On Mission X, it is found on the bonnet and steering wheel as well as in monochrome form on the wheel centers.

The driver focus can be seen in the asymmetry of the interior and its color concept. The two seats are colored differently. Apart from the leather pads in Andalusia Brown, the driver's seat is Kalahari Grey and forms a single unit of color with the center console and the dashboard. The passenger seat is in the contrasting Andalusia Brown shade. Beyond the CFRP seat shells and their six-point seatbelts integrated into the monocoque, further motorsport parallels include the open-top steering wheel with mode switches and shift paddles. There are multiple cameras on board. Recording starts when the driver presses the Record button (REC) on the multi-purpose controller.

Another highlight is found on the passenger side, where a bayonet system is embedded in the instrument panel to which a stopwatch module can be attached. For Mission X, Porsche Design has created a particular stopwatch module with an analog and digital display. The clocks are designed for both the racetrack and rally use and can display the lap times or vital data of the driver, among other information.

Technical vision: top marks in power-to-weight ratio, downforce, and charging performance
Porsche exemplifies e-performance yet is also a pioneer in sustainable mobility. The concept study meets both objectives in full measure. Our visions: if Mission X goes into series production, then it should:

- be the fastest road-legal vehicle around the Nürburgring Nordschleife;
- have a power-to-weight ratio of roughly one PS per kilogram;
- achieve downforce values that are well more than those delivered by the current 911 GT3 RS;
- offer significantly improved charging performance with its 900-volt system architecture and charge roughly twice as quickly as Porsche's current frontrunner, the Taycan Turbo S.

The battery is installed centrally behind the vehicle's seats. This "e-core layout" centers the mass in the car. As with a conventionally powered mid-engined car, this provides the basis for excellent agility.

Predecessors: innovative super sports cars from Porsche
The fastest series-production car of its time, the first series-production Porsche to be made of carbon fiber, and the first road-legal vehicle to beat the seven-minute mark on the Nürburgring Nordschleife - the Porsche 959 (1985), Carrera GT (2003) and 918 Spyder (2013) were milestone models in the world of super sports cars. And that makes them the conceptual forerunners of Mission X.

In 1985, the Porsche 959 made its debut as a technology platform. Its 450 PS six-cylinder twin-turbo boxer engine and an aerodynamically optimized body propelled the super sports car to a top speed of 317 km/h - then the world record for a series-production sports car.

With its V10 engine and 612 PS, fierce design, and, not least, its incomparable driving experience, the Porsche Carrera GT remains an icon among super sports cars to this day.

Porsche hybrid technology reached a spectacular zenith with the 918 Spyder. In September 2013, the 652 kW (887 PS) two-seater was the first road-approved vehicle to crack the seven-minute barrier on the Nürburgring's 20.6-kilometer Nordschleife, completing the lap in 6:57 minutes. Porsche aims to stay true to this standard of the highest e-performance: our vision, should the Mission X go into series production, is for it to be the fastest road-legal vehicle on the Nürburgring Nordschleife.