Stunning Mission S previews mid-engined Porsche
The best way to create a Porsche supercar of the future? Look to the past...
While the idea of a super-duper mid-engined Porsche exotic is not new - the Carrera GT was PH’s greatest 21st century supercar - a series production one certainly is. Cars like the CGT and 918 Spyder have always been limited run, but as part of Porsche’s Sportwagenschmiede ‘35 initiative a mid-engined supercar for the standard lineup was announced. This Mission S isn’t that car just yet, though it does hint at what might be coming from a new generation of Porsche pin-up.
And to look forward, first you have to look back - the popularity of Porsche-derived reimaginations has taught us that. Or certainly that’s what the Mission S looks to achieve, the concept a veritable greatest hits of Porsche design cues presented with a contemporary flourish. Note wheels that evolve the 928 teledial, the rear ‘car-in-car’ concept recognisable from a GT1, a front end of round lights and torpedo wings that evoke the 911, plus maybe just a bit of 918 to the way the rear bumpers expose the wheels.
Maybe it’s not revolutionary - not least because revolutionary isn’t popular in the upper echelons right now - but it’s immediately recognisable as a Porsche, and that’s surely the most important thing. When the supercar alternatives now include everything from 1,600hp Denzas to twin-turbo hybrid Corvettes that cast tradition aside, that tangible Porscheness will surely be the selling point. Porsche suggests that the look of the Mission S represents ‘authentic, consistent and timeless design language with innovative design features.’
Furthermore, and despite a wide, low, exciting exterior on big wheels, it’s probably the inside of the Mission S that’s most exciting. Because it actively rejects so much of what we’re being told must go into supercars right now: passenger displays, screens to control what other screens do, wheels festooned with buttons and distractions aplenty. The ‘deliberate reduction of digital surfaces’ is actually what makes the Mission S so radical. Again, perhaps taking a leaf out of the restomod playbook, those spending hundreds of thousands on a new Porsche with some heritage themes would rather have the basics done beautifully than a load of trinkets that’ll only age and wear.
So the Mission S gets about the most perfect steering wheel you’ve ever seen - including a very intriguing ‘On Your Own’ button - the classic five-dial Porsche dash, a prominent gearlever of some description and not very much else. It looks like there’s a VW Up-style phone mount - or ‘a retractable smartphone system compatible with MagSafe technology’, as Porsche will call it - some HVAC controls, paddles behind the wheel and that’s it. It would be reasonable to take the claim of interior architecture ‘based on historic sports cars such as the 550 Spyder and 356’ with a large pinch of salt, however, this really does look like back to basics at its very best.
While the concept stage is too early to be talking about powertrain, it feels notable that the Mission S features such a prominent revcounter alongside the lever and paddles. Whatever the mid-engined super sports car platform becomes is going to have the raw charm of combustion front and centre. If nothing else, it has four ruddy great exhausts poking out of its bum, a scoop in its roof and a redline beyond 7,000rpm - any electrification will surely play a supporting role.
Porsche Mission S press material concludes in an encouraging way to say the least, reasserting the promise that there will be a ‘permanently available super sports car offer’ above the 911. Who’d pay overs for a GT3 with an actual supercar around? It continues: ‘The clear objective here is the highest level of engineering excellence and maximum flexibility. This is underpinned by decades of motorsport experience, innovative and brand-defining technology and the forward-looking design unveiled with the Mission S.’ Without wishing to sound too PorschetonHeads, it’s a company that’s surely in a good position given all that’s gone before to take what it knows to make a rival for the Ferraris, Lamborghinis and McLarens of the world. And when the mid-engined Lambo range kicks off at something like £300k these days, there’s probably some much-needed money to be made.
Porsche board Chairman Dr Michael Leiters said: “The Mission S provides a glimpse of the ideas and design features that will shape Porsche in the coming years. At the same time, the Mission S represents a mid-engined super sports car platform positioned above the 911 – not as a one-off hypercar, but as a permanent and versatile addition to our customer offering.” You can almost see the magnesium wheels coming as part of a Weissach Pack already. That future offering can’t come soon enough.
I see quite a bit of
https://www.oilstainlab.com/
In it, which is no bad thing.
Real car design is alive.
Thankyou Porsche
Not retro, not ground breaking.
But respectful to its heritage AND fresh.
It s like a Porsche greatest hits album, reimagined by a contemporary dj.
Awesome
For me, the retro ones are all 'meh', because they're just a pastiche of what we've already seen. But they're the best we get at the moment.
I think the way to solve this is to have a person design a car with a pen. Then, a model. Don't go near a computer - they're not 'aiding' the designs.
For me, the retro ones are all 'meh', because they're just a pastiche of what we've already seen. But they're the best we get at the moment.
I think the way to solve this is to have a person design a car with a pen. Then, a model. Don't go near a computer - they're not 'aiding' the designs.
I suppose the shining light is that once they've rinsed the old car catalogue for inspiration, they'll have to think of something new. One can hope.
Or priced at €300-500K and sell 5,000 of them against whatever Ferrari, McLaren etc have to offer at the time?
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff