June 12th 2023
When individuals reach the age of 75, mere existence and good health are considered valuable blessings. In celebration of Porsche’s 75th anniversary, the renowned sports car manufacturer has granted itself an extraordinary gift – a hypercar that the company claims will surpass all others in speed when driving around the Nurburgring. Interestingly, this hypercar will run solely on electric power.
This Mission X project is currently in the conceptual stage, but it provides a strong glimpse into Porsche’s ambitious future plans. How ambitious? Well, Porsche claims that this vehicle will boast an impressive power-to-weight ratio, with at least one horsepower for every 2.2 pounds of weight.
This will be achieved through an innovative all-electric, 900-volt framework. To put things into perspective, let’s consider Porsche’s previous hypercar, the 918 Spyder, which weighed around 3,700 pounds. If we apply the same ratio, we’re looking at approximately 1,700 horsepower. That’s almost twice the power output of the Spyder when it made history by completing a lap of the Nurburgring in under seven minutes, becoming the first production car to do so.
Once again, that’s merely an estimation since we are still unaware of the exact weight. Nevertheless, if the power output reaches that level, it would establish this particular Porsche model as the most formidable one designed for public roads. Its power would surpass even that of the track-exclusive 919 Hybrid Evo, which Porsche unleashed to obliterate lap records worldwide.
Le Mans Inspiration
Porsche revealed the Mission X prototype during the celebration of the company’s 75th anniversary and ahead of the upcoming 100th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans race. There exists a clear connection between the two occasions, as the design of the Mission X draws inspiration from Le Mans, featuring upward and forward-opening doors reminiscent of the iconic 917 model.
This represents merely one noteworthy aspect of its groundbreaking aesthetics, which encompass a protective carbon fiber exoskeleton encasing a glass dome enveloping the passenger area. The final outcome showcases a form that evokes memories of the legendary Le Mans prototypes from the past while incorporating contemporary elements.
The interior of the dome is truly impressive, showcasing seats with distinct colours for the driver and passenger. Safety is prioritised with six-point harnesses provided for both occupants. Adding a touch of peculiar nostalgia inspired by the 959, the passenger dashboard includes a designated space for either analog or digital stopwatches.
In spite of the expected tremendous power output, the Mission X maintains a relatively compact size. It measures a total length of 177 inches and a width of 78.7 inches, which is notably 6 inches shorter than the 918 Spyder while being more than 2 inches wider. Interestingly, the wheelbase remains unchanged.
Although the Taycan is powered by electricity, Porsche has adopted a unique arrangement for the battery pack. They have positioned it behind the seats, employing an innovative “e-core” design with the intention of achieving handling dynamics similar to those of a mid-engined vehicle.
However, the question remains: will they proceed with its production? When we directly asked Porsche CEO Oliver Blume about this, he responded in a reassuringly open manner. “We will evaluate the possibility of manufacturing it in the coming month,” he stated. While the decision has not been finalized yet and there is some preliminary work to be done, there are promising prospects.” It is worth noting that he frequently mentioned “next month,” indicating that the decision-making process will likely be swift.
The Rivals
We have witnessed astonishing levels of power and performance from well-known companies such as Rimac, and even Tesla and Lucid have introduced high-performing sedans. Therefore, for Porsche to create an extraordinary hypercar that truly impresses, it would require horsepower numbers surpassing four digits. The prospect of such immense power, coupled with Porsche’s exceptional engineering and racing knowledge, is genuinely thrilling to contemplate.
Of course, this assumes that the company proceeds with the development of the hypercar.