Innovative concept vehicles have always set the course for the future at Porsche. The sports car manufacturer is continuing this tradition with the latest concept study: The Mission X is the spectacular reinterpretation of a hypercar with Le Mans doors that open towards the front and a high-performance, efficient electric drive. The excitingly designed two-seater celebrates its premiere on June 8, 2023 on a special date: on the eve of the opening of the special exhibition “75 years of Porsche sports cars” it is the star in the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen. On June 8, 1948, the 356 “No. 1” Roadster was the first automobile to receive its general operating license under the Porsche name. That was the birth of the sports car brand.

“The Porsche Mission X is a technology beacon for the sports car of the future. In doing so, it ties in with the sports car icons of earlier decades: like the 959, Carrera GT and 918 Spyder, the Mission X provides decisive impetus for the further development of future vehicle concepts. For us, daring dreams and dream cars belong together: Porsche has always remained Porsche only because Porsche has changed over and over again.”

Oliver Blume, CEO of Porsche AG

Michael Mauer, Head of Style Porsche, says: “The Mission X is a clear commitment to the core of the brand. The further development of our brand and product identity is an important compass that we use as a guide in the development of our series models. The concept study symbolizes a symbiosis of clearly recognizable motorsport DNA with a luxurious overall impression.”

With a length of a good 4.5 meters and a width of two meters, the Mission X is a comparatively compact hypercar. The wheelbase is 2.73 meters and thus corresponds to the dimensions of the Carrera GT and 918 Spyder. For the benefit of driving dynamics, the concept vehicle has mixed tires with 20-inch wheels on the front axle and 21-inch wheels on the rear axle.

Design: elements typical of the brand reinterpreted
The Mission X stands for the highest performance and modern, sporty luxury. At the same time, with its sculptural shape and muscular surfaces, it proves that hypercars don’t have to look aggressive. The flat body, less than 1.20 meters high, is painted in Rocket Metallic – a noble-looking paint color specially designed for the concept study. Below the belt line there are visible carbon circumferences. These components are glazed in Rocket Metallic (silk gloss) and are therefore slightly tinted, but their structure is still recognizable. The wheels of the concept study have been worked out in great detail: Almost transparent aeroblades sit on the rear axle, which are designed like turbines to improve cooling of the wheel brakes.

A lightweight glass dome with an “exoskeleton” (German: “external skeleton”) made of carbon fiber composite material stretches over the two occupants. The Le Mans doors are hinged to the A-pillar and the roof and open upwards at the front. The door concept was already used in the motorsport classic Porsche 917. Another eye-catcher is the light signature: With the Mission X, the designers have reinterpreted the four-point graphic that is characteristic of Porsche. The basic vertical shape of the main headlights was inspired by historic racing vehicles such as the Porsche 906 or 908 and is pulled down towards the road. A high-tech supporting structure frames the LED light modules and presents the exposed, narrow elements of the daytime running lights and indicators. If they are activated, the light opens like a blink of an eye.

A continuous, apparently floating light unit characterizes the rear of the Mission X. A special feature here is a transparent, luminous Porsche lettering. The sculptural rear light develops freely from a modern supporting structure and, segmented into four elements, spans the entire width of the vehicle. The “E” in the Porsche logo pulsates mysteriously during the charging process.

The modernized Porsche Crest is making its debut on the Mission X as a special detail. Brushed precious metal, three-dimensional honeycomb structure, refreshed coat of arms and a more subtle gold color – these are the differences between the modernized Porsche Crest and its immediate predecessor on closer inspection. Cleaner and more modern, the further developed coat of arms conveys the character of Porsche. On the Mission X, it is on the bonnet and steering wheel, and in a monochrome version on the wheel hub covers.

The focus on the driver is reflected in the asymmetry of the interior and in its color scheme. Both seats are colored differently. With the exception of the Andalusian brown leather pads, the driver’s seat is in Kalahari gray and forms a color unit with the center console and instrument panel. The passenger seat, on the other hand, comes in the contrasting color of Andalusian brown. In addition to the CFRP seat shells with six-point belts integrated into the monocoque, the open-topped steering wheel with mode switches and rockers draws another parallel to motorsport. There are several cameras on board. Recording starts as soon as the driver presses the record button (REC) on the multi-purpose controller.

Another highlight is on the passenger side: a bayonet system is embedded in the instrument panel, to which a clock module can be attached. Porsche Design has designed a special watch module with analog and digital displays for the Mission X. The watches are designed both for use on the racetrack and for rallies and can display the lap times or health data of the driver, among other things.

Technology: Best values ​​for power-to-weight ratio, downforce and charging performance
Porsche stands for e-performance and is also a pioneer in sustainable mobility. The new concept study satisfies both requirements. Our vision: If the Mission X went into series production, then it should

  • be the fastest road-legal vehicle on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife.
  • have a power-to-weight ratio of around one kilogram per horsepower.
  •  Achieve downforce values ​​that are well above the level of the current 911 GT3 RS.
  • With its 900 volt system architecture, it offers significantly improved charging performance and charges about twice as fast as the current front runner from Porsche, the Taycan Turbo S.

The battery is installed centrally behind the seats in the vehicle. This so-called E-Core layout centers the mass in the vehicle. Similar to a conventionally powered mid-engine vehicle, this enables outstanding agility.

Predecessors: innovative super sports cars from Porsche
Fastest production vehicle in the world at the time; first production Porsche made of carbon fiber and first road-legal vehicle to undercut the seven-minute mark on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife – the Porsche models 959 (1985), Carrera GT (2003) and 918 Spyder (2013) were milestones in the world of supercars. This makes them the ideal predecessors of the Mission X.

In 1985, the Porsche 959 made its debut as a technology showcase. Its 450 hp six-cylinder biturbo boxer, in combination with an aerodynamically optimized body, enabled the super sports car to sprint to a top speed of 317 km/h – a world record among the production sports cars of the time.

With its V10 engine with 612 hp, the classy design and last but not least the incomparable driving experience, the Porsche Carrera GT is still an icon among super sports cars today.

With the 918 Spyder, Porsche hybrid technology reached a spectacular peak. As the first road-legal vehicle, the 652 kW (887 hp) two-seater completed the 20.6-kilometre lap around the Nürburgring-Nordschleife in 6:57 minutes in September 2013.

Porsche intends to remain true to this claim for maximum e-performance: Our vision, if the Mission X went into series production, should be the fastest street-legal vehicle on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife.