Porsche Mission X – another dream takes shape

At Porsche, innovative concept cars have always set the course for the future. Now, the sports car maker is continuing that tradition with the latest Mission X research. It's an exciting new hypercar interpretation with Le Mans-inspired front doors and a high-performance, efficient electric powertrain.

Porsche Mission X

The Mission X is the name of the radically styled two-seater that was first unveiled on June 8, 2023, ahead of the opening of the 75 Years of Porsche Sports Cars exhibition at the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen. . This is a special date: 75 years ago, June 8, 1948, 356 "No. 11". The 1-inch roadster was the first Porsche-branded vehicle to be road approved. This is how the sports car brand Porsche was born.

“Porsche Mission X is a technological beacon for the sports cars of the future. And continuing the mission of our iconic sports cars of the past decades: like the predecessor models 959, Carrera GT and 918 Spyder, the Mission X provides a decisive impetus for the evolutionary development of car concepts of the future,” he said. Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Management Board of Porsche AG. “The courage to dream and the dream of cars are two sides of the same coin for us: Porsche only stays true to itself through constant change.”

Michael Mauer, head of styling at Porscheadded: “Mission X clearly demonstrates commitment to the core of Porsche. The continuous, sophisticated expression of our brand and its personality is an important compass in the development of our models on the way to mass production. The Mission X concept study embodies the symbiosis of unique racing DNA and an overall sense of luxury.”

At around 4.5m long and 2m wide, the Mission X concept study is a relatively compact hypercar. Given a wheelbase of 2.73 m, it has dimensions similar to Porsche Carrera GT and 918 Spider. For aerodynamic reasons, the car was equipped with tires of different sizes, with 20-inch wheels at the front and 21-inch wheels at the rear.

Design: a new interpretation of the classic elements of the brand.

Mission X represents the pinnacle of performance and modern luxury. At the same time, its sculpted form and muscular lines show that hypercars don't have to look aggressive. The low-slung bodywork, less than 1.2 meters high, is painted in an elegant Rocket Metallic shade, created specifically for the new concept. The carbon fiber design elements at the bottom of the bodywork are satin-finished and therefore lightly painted, but their material structure is still recognizable.

The wheels of the concept are distinguished by exquisite details. For better cooling of the brakes, the rear discs received almost transparent aerodynamic casings in the form of a turbine. Above the seats is a lightweight glass dome with a carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) exoskeleton. Le Mans-style doors are attached to the A-pillars and roof and open forward and upward. This type of door was used in the legendary Porsche 917 racing car.

Another eye-catching element is the light signature: Mission X designers have reinterpreted Porsche's characteristic four-dot graphic. The vertical shape of the headlights, inspired by the lighting of historic racing cars such as the Porsche 906 and 908, is set directly above the road. The high-tech structure hides the LED modules and exposes the subtle elements of the daytime running lights and turn indicators. When activated, the light resembles a blinking eye. Illuminated headlights emphasize the impression of self-confidence.

The back of the Mission X forms a continuous band of light that appears to float in space. Its distinguishing feature is the transparent, illuminated 'PORSCHE' lettering. Sculpted taillights protrude from the modern design as if suspended in mid-air, with four segments running across the entire width of the vehicle. The 'E' in 'PORSCHE' lettering pulsates during charging, adding to the mystique.

Another special detail is the updated Porsche Crest, which will debut in the Mission X. Brushed precious metal, 3D honeycomb structure, updated heraldic beast, and a more subtle gold hue - upon closer inspection, you can see the differences between the updated version and its immediate predecessor. In a cleaner and more modern version, the coat of arms conveys the Porsche character. On the Mission X model, it is located on the hood and steering wheel, as well as, in a monochrome version, on the wheel hub caps.

The asymmetry of the cockpit and the color concept of the interior emphasize the focus on the driver. The seats are in different colors. With the exception of the Andalusia Brown leather panels, the driver's seat is finished in Kalahari Gray, which creates a single unit with the center console and instrument panel. The passenger seat is highlighted in a contrasting shade of Andalusia Brown. Not only the carbon fiber seats with six-point seat belts integrated into the monocoque are reminiscent of the world of motorsport, but also the characteristic steering wheel with mode switches and paddle shifters. Several cameras were installed on board. To start recording, the driver just needs to press the REC button on the multifunctional controller.

Another unique feature of the dashboard on the passenger side is the bayonet mount to which the stopwatch module can be attached. Porsche Design has developed a dedicated A/D stopwatch module for the Mission X. The watch is designed for use both on the race track and in rally stages. They can show, among other things, lap times or important driver data.

Technical vision: the best values of power density, downforce and charging efficiency

Porsche sets new standards in electronic performance, but is also a pioneer in sustainable mobility. The new study fully meets both of these objectives. What are our visions? If Mission X goes into mass production, it must:

• be the fastest road-legal vehicle on the Nürburgring Nordschleife;
• provide a specific power of approximately 1 horsepower per kilogram;
• to achieve downforce values significantly higher than those provided by the current 911 GT3 RS;
• offer vastly improved charging efficiency thanks to their 900-volt architecture – charging is expected to be about twice as fast as Porsche's current leader, the Taycan Turbo S.

The battery is mounted centrally behind the seats. This is the so-called "electronic core system", which centers the mass in the car. As with a conventional mid-engined car, this setup provides excellent maneuverability.

Forerunners: innovative supercars from Porsche

The fastest production car of its time, the first carbon fiber production Porsche and the first road car to break the seven-minute mark on the Nürburgring's Nordschleife. Porsche 959 (1985) Carrera GT (2003) and 918 Spider (2013) brought new breakthroughs to the world of supercars. And this makes them the conceptual predecessors of the Mission X.

The Porsche 959 debuted as a technology platform in 1985. 450 hp, 6-cylinder, twin-turbocharged boxer engine. in combination with an aerodynamically optimized body, it accelerated the supercar to a maximum speed of 317 km / h, which at that time was a world record for mass-produced sports cars.

With 612 hp V10 engine. Porsche Carrera GT remains an icon among supersports cars to this day.

With the 918 Spyder, Porsche's hybrid technology has reached its pinnacle. In September 2013, the 652 kW (887 hp) two-seater became the first authorized vehicle to break the seven-minute barrier on the 20.6 km Nürburgring Nordschleife in 6:57 minutes. Porsche wants to stay true to its standard of top electronic performance: if the Mission X goes into series production, we see it become the fastest road vehicle on the Nürburgring's Nordschleife.