Porsche Mission X, a new concept offering a glimpse of future hypercars. In the world of sports cars, there are few brands as iconic as Porsche. Over the years, the German automaker has led the industry in innovation and design, with their concept cars often hinting at the exciting future of high-performance motoring.

Continuing their tradition of pioneering design, Porsche recently unveiled their latest concept study, the Mission X, a stunning reimagining of what a hypercar can be.

A Leap Into the Future

The Mission X takes the concept of a hypercar and turns it on its head. Its doors, styled after Le Mans racing cars, open upwards and forwards, and it boasts a highly efficient electric powertrain, promising high performance and sustainability.

But there’s more to this spectacular vehicle than its impressive specs. This stunning two-seater is set to celebrate its premiere on 8 June 2023 – a date that holds special significance for the brand.

A Special Date for a Special Reveal

Marking 75 years since the birth of the Porsche sports car brand, the release of the Mission X on 8 June 2023 is fitting. It was on this day in 1948 that the 356 ‘No. 1’ Roadster received its general operating permit, making it the first automobile to bear the Porsche name.

This occasion will also coincide with the opening of the ’75 Years of Porsche Sports Cars’ exhibition at the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen.

Compact and Mighty: The Design of the Mission X

The Mission X, measuring approximately 4.5 meters long and two meters wide, is a relatively compact hypercar. It stands in line with its predecessors, the Carrera GT and 918 Spyder, with a wheelbase of 2.73 meters. The concept car’s mixed-size tires feature 20-inch wheels at the front and 21-inch wheels at the rear, enhancing its aerodynamic capabilities.

Michael Mauer, Head of Style Porsche, says: “The Mission X is a clear commitment to the core of the brand. The continuing, enhanced expression of our brand and product identity is an important compass for us to navigate the development of our series-production models. The concept study symbolizes a symbiosis of unmistakable motorsport DNA with a luxurious overall impression.”

Reinventing Classic Elements

The Mission X is a perfect balance of performance and modern luxury. Its sculpted form and muscular lines subtly challenge the notion that hypercars need to present an aggressive aesthetic. The car’s low-slung bodywork, less than 1.2 meters tall, is finished in an elegant Rocket Metallic paint, a shade designed exclusively for the concept study.

As for the wheels, they display intricate details, with the rear axle equipped with almost transparent aeroblades, designed like turbines to ensure better cooling of the brakes. The car’s lightweight glass dome has an exoskeleton made of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic, offering protection to its two occupants.

The doors of the Mission X, a nod to the legendary Porsche 917 racing car, open forwards and upwards from the A-pillar and the roof. Furthermore, the concept car debuts a modernized Porsche crest, which communicates the evolving character of the brand.

Light Up the Night

A distinctive feature of the Mission X is its lighting signature, where the designers have reimagined the characteristic Porsche four-point graphic. The vertical base form of the headlights draws inspiration from historic racing cars such as the Porsche 906 and 908.

Another standout feature is the full-length light unit at the rear, complete with transparent, illuminated Porsche lettering. While charging, the ‘E’ of the Porsche lettering pulsates, adding a sense of intrigue to this future-facing vehicle.

Inside the Mission X

The asymmetry of the interior and its color scheme is a testament to the car’s driver focus. The seats are colored differently: the driver’s seat is in Kalahari Grey, while the passenger seat stands out in a contrasting Andalusia Brown shade.

Motorsport parallels are apparent in the open-top steering wheel equipped with mode switches and shift paddles, the CFRP seat shells, and the six-point seatbelts integrated into the monocoque.

An Eye on the Action

Multiple onboard cameras offer an immersive driving experience. Once the Record button on the multi-purpose controller is activated, the cameras start recording, offering the driver the option to relive thrilling rides or analyze their performance.

Time is of the Essence

The passenger side features a bayonet system embedded in the instrument panel, to which a stopwatch module can be attached. Designed by Porsche, this stopwatch module comes with an analog and digital display and is designed for both the racetrack and rally use.

A Powerhouse of Sustainable Performance

Porsche is not just known for its performance but also for its commitment to sustainable mobility. With its 900-volt system architecture, the Mission X is set to charge roughly twice as quickly as Porsche’s current frontrunner, the Taycan Turbo S.

In line with the brand’s commitment to e-performance, the battery of the Mission X is centrally located behind the vehicle’s seats. This layout centralizes the car’s mass, providing the basis for excellent agility, much like a conventional mid-engine car.

A Tribute to Porsche’s Past

The Mission X draws from a lineage of super sports cars from Porsche. The Porsche 959 (1985), Carrera GT (2003), and 918 Spyder (2013) were milestone models in the world of super sports cars and serve as the conceptual predecessors of the Mission X.

“The Porsche Mission X is a technology beacon for the sports car of the future. It picks up the torch of iconic sports cars of decades past: like the 959, the Carrera GT, and the 918 Spyder before it, the Mission X provides a critical impetus for the evolutionary development of future vehicle concepts,” says Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche AG. “Daring to dream and dream cars are two sides of the same coin for us: Porsche has only remained Porsche by constantly changing.”

A Legacy of Speed and Innovation

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

The Porsche Carrera GT remains an icon among super sports cars to this day. With its V10 engine and 612 PS, fierce design, and unrivaled driving experience, the Porsche Carrera GT was a force to be reckoned with.

Porsche’s hybrid technology reached an impressive peak with the 918 Spyder. In September 2013, this 652 kW (887 hp) two-seater was the first road-approved vehicle to break the seven-minute barrier on the Nürburgring’s 20.6-kilometer Nordschleife.

Porsche aims to uphold this high standard of e-performance with the Mission X. If the concept study goes into series production, it aspires to be the fastest road-legal vehicle around the Nürburgring Nordschleife, boasting a power-to-weight ratio of roughly one horsepower per kilogram and achieving downforce values that far surpass those of the current 911 GT3 RS.

The unveiling of the Mission X concept study is a testament to Porsche’s relentless pursuit of innovation and performance. Its vision for a futuristic, high-performance, and sustainable hypercar signifies a new era for the automobile industry. Whether you’re a Porsche aficionado or an automotive enthusiast, the Mission X concept study is undoubtedly an exciting prospect to look forward to.