Porsche Mission X - A glimpse into the future?

Six months into Porsche's 75th sports car anniversary, it's safe to say that the German marque has pulled out all the stops to commemorate its rich heritage. The manufacturer kicked off their celebrations earlier this year by unveiling the Vision 357, a bold tribute to the original Porsche 356 No. 1 Roadster, at a dedicated exhibition in Berlin. Since then, Porsche has raced at the 24 Hours of Le Mans Centenary with a 75th-anniversary special livery and has upcoming events at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and Rennsport Reunion adding to the festivities.

Porsche's latest concept vehicle, the Mission X, builds on this celebratory spirit. This visionary hypercar follows on from the all-electric Mission E and Mission R concepts, drawing upon legendary machines to produce an innovative design that offers an exciting glimpse into the brand's future.

Like its predecessors, the Mission X is an all-electric vehicle, but that doesn't mean it isn't powerful. Porsche has kitted this concept out with a high-performance electric powertrain that, in theory, would produce a power-to-weight ratio of around 1 PS per kilogram – double that of the Porsche 918 Spyder. Weight-optimized and with efficiency at its core, the Mission X's powertrain features a 900-volt system architecture, maximizing performance and shortening charging times.

Mission X features a compact single-speed transmission, transferring power from the powerful electric motors to the wheels during acceleration without any losses. An oil-cooled battery featuring high-end cells that Porsche designed to enhance performance delivers the energy to X. Its location behind the seats in an e-core layout – rather than in a conventional underfloor position – optimizes weight distribution, improving the car's agility and handling across the board. We can only imagine what this vehicle would feel like in reality…

Mission X's sculpted forms and sleek, sloping lines embody power, performance, and elegance – without being intimidating. Its silhouette takes from the Porsche 917, rising from the bodywork up and over the wings to help direct airflow efficiently towards the car's front end. You'll find further aerodynamic enhancements on its active front wing and extendable rear wing, which incorporate Porsche Active Aerodynamics – a mainstay on many of the brand's sports cars.

A lightweight glass dome roof structure – reminiscent of the Porsche 917 – almost seamlessly encloses the passenger cabin. It is supported with a CFRP 'exoskeleton,' which, combined with Mission X's two Le-Mans style doors, creates a bold impression on passers-by. As with the Vision 357 concept, the Mission X eschews traditional exterior mirrors in favor of cameras mounted along the car's bodywork. Cameras next to these digital mirrors allow drivers to record stunning video footage – a feature that would prove invaluable on scenic road trips and track days to create video memories.

Porsche has placed their brand identity front and center throughout the Mission X, with an updated Porsche crest on its panel and steering wheel. The car's bodywork and carbon-weave elements are painted and varnished in Rocket Metallic, an exclusive shade specially designed for the concept that creates the illusion of appearing darker depending on your viewing angle.

Driver-centric design is at the forefront of the Mission X, with all essential displays and controls located on the driver axis. The instrument cluster is positioned at the highest point of the steering column and features a concave design to maximize readability, ensuring that you can direct your focus on the road ahead. While the CFRP seat shells are fixed – with only the steering wheel and pedals adjustable. Similar to a race car, the seats can be customized using 3D-printed bodyform full-bucket seats.

A bayonet system integrated into the instrument panel on the passenger side enables a stopwatch module to be attached – a feature that harkens back to classic race and rally cars. With this in mind, Porsche has designed a dedicated timing module for competitive motorsport. Featuring analog and digital displays, it can display plenty of information – from lap times to vehicle health data – helping drivers deliver their best when at the track.

While the Mission X remains a concept for now, Porsche has bold plans for its future, should it enter series production: the manufacturer aims to make it 'the fastest road-approved vehicle on the Nürburging Nordschleife,' surpassing the Mercedes-AMG One. One thing's for sure – with Porsche pivoting towards e-performance and sustainable mobility, you can expect big things from the German marque in the future.