Automotive

Porsche Mission E provides all-electric glimpse at the future of supercars

Porsche Mission E provides all-electric glimpse at the future of supercars
The Porsche Mission E, on display at the Frankfurt Motor Show
The Porsche Mission E, on display at the Frankfurt Motor Show
View 14 Images
Inside, the Mission E has seating for four passengers
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Inside, the Mission E has seating for four passengers
The driver display uses a parallax effect to make sure owners can see what's going on regardless of where they're sitting
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The driver display uses a parallax effect to make sure owners can see what's going on regardless of where they're sitting
Because electric cars need no transmission tunnel, there's far more free space in the Mission E cabin
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Because electric cars need no transmission tunnel, there's far more free space in the Mission E cabin
It might be futuristic, but the Mission E is still unmistakably a Porsche
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It might be futuristic, but the Mission E is still unmistakably a Porsche
The devil is in the detail with these high-end concept cars, and Porsche has gone all-out with this one
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The devil is in the detail with these high-end concept cars, and Porsche has gone all-out with this one
The pillarless doors and long windowline make the Mission E look a bit like a 911 in profile
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The pillarless doors and long windowline make the Mission E look a bit like a 911 in profile
With its batteries set low in the chassis, the Mission E should stay nice and flat in the bends
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With its batteries set low in the chassis, the Mission E should stay nice and flat in the bends
From the front, the Mission E looks like the 918 has been fast forwarded to 2020
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From the front, the Mission E looks like the 918 has been fast forwarded to 2020
With a high voltage charge system, the Mission E can go from empty to 85 percent in just 15 minutes
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With a high voltage charge system, the Mission E can go from empty to 85 percent in just 15 minutes
The Porsche Mission E, on display at the Frankfurt Motor Show
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The Porsche Mission E, on display at the Frankfurt Motor Show
The Porsche Mission E, on display at the Frankfurt Motor Show
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The Porsche Mission E, on display at the Frankfurt Motor Show
The Porsche Mission E, on display at the Frankfurt Motor Show
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The Porsche Mission E, on display at the Frankfurt Motor Show
The Porsche Mission E, on display at the Frankfurt Motor Show
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The Porsche Mission E, on display at the Frankfurt Motor Show
The Porsche Mission E, on display at the Frankfurt Motor Show
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The Porsche Mission E, on display at the Frankfurt Motor Show
View gallery - 14 images

The Frankfurt Motor Show hasn't even started yet, but already Porsche has revealed its contender for best in show. The Mission E Concept is a drop-dead gorgeous, fast-charging, all-electric supercar that Porsche says can clock the Nürburgring Nordschleife in under eight minutes.

Hiding underneath the Mission E's shapely bodywork are two permanent magnet synchronous motors, which draw on the tech used in this year's Le Mans winning 919 Spyder. The two motors combine for a total of 447 kW (600 hp), enough to punt it to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.5 seconds and on to 200 km/h (124 mph) in under 12 seconds.

With its batteries set low in the chassis, the Mission E should stay nice and flat in the bends
With its batteries set low in the chassis, the Mission E should stay nice and flat in the bends

While power is one thing, electric motors are known for making big torque figures from zero revs. Strangely, Porsche hasn't quoted a torque figure for the Mission E – we can only assume that the headline 447 kW figure is backed up by an equally impressive torque output, but we may have to wait until the Frankfurt reveal before we know for sure.

Taking full advantage of all this performance is, as you'd expect, hard on the battery. To make sure you're not waiting around while the car charges, Porsche says it has developed an 800-volt charging system that will give you 85 percent of the car's 500 km (311 mile) range in just 15 minutes. The car is also fitted with an inductive charging coil, opening the door for wireless charging if it actually makes production.

Because the Mission E is just a concept, there's no details about where or how owners would be able to take advantage of the 800-volt Turbo Charging system, although Porsche does say the car can be charged using more conventional charging stations, albeit more slowly.

When it comes to handling, the Mission E has a number of advantages over petrol-powered supercars. Just like Tesla, Porsche has mounted the car's batteries low in the underbody, making for a low center of gravity and quick direction changes. Because the batteries stretch the length of the car and there's a motor on each axle, the car also has an even weight distribution.

Though no weight figures have yet been quoted, Porsche says it has worked hard to keep the Mission E as light as possible by using a mix of aluminum, steel and carbon fiber in the body.

It might be light but the car's body is also absolutely gorgeous – it's as if Emmett Brown replaced his DeLorean with a fusion of 911, 918 Spyder and 919 Le Mans racer and set it for 2020. Up front, the LED matrix headlamps meld into a 911-style bonnet and front fenders, while the car's hips and wide tail lights make it look instantly familiar.

The driver display uses a parallax effect to make sure owners can see what's going on regardless of where they're sitting
The driver display uses a parallax effect to make sure owners can see what's going on regardless of where they're sitting

This is becoming a bit of a habit, but we're willing to go out on a limb and say the Mission E is in with a chance at taking out the gong for best looking car of 2015. Sorry for getting your hopes up, Mercedes C-Class Coupe.

The interior makes the most of the space that going electric creates. Because electric cars don't need a transmission tunnel or driveshaft, designers are able to make the car feel lighter and more open, as well as opening up more space to put phones, wallets and sunglasses – boring, practical considerations, but relevant nonetheless.

The Mission E seats four people in individual, lightweight bucket seats while the driver is treated to a curved display that tracks their eyes to know which instrument they're looking at. Drivers can then swap through different modes on the instrument they're watching by pressing a button on the steering wheel.

If you're the type of person who feels the need to share their every mood swing online, the Mission E will also use a small camera to recognize your face and display it as an emoticon in the dashboard, before offering an option for you to share it on social media along with information about your speed and route.

The center console has been given a similar set of high-tech tricks, allowing users to control infotainment and air conditioning with gestures.

Inside, the Mission E has seating for four passengers
Inside, the Mission E has seating for four passengers

The Mission E is, for now at least, just a concept, but it's also an exciting look at whats to come for speed freaks. Here's hoping Porsche takes the Mission E and turns it into an electric reality.

Have a flick through our gallery to see more pictures of the stunning Mission E, and stay tuned for all the news from Frankfurt, where Gizmag is on the ground covering the action.

Source: Porsche

Below is Porsche's launch film for the Mission E.

View gallery - 14 images
17 comments
17 comments
Milton
So SLICK! Bring it to market.
(but I'd pass on the inductive-charging, unless of course Porsche can make that charging process just as efficient as the wired counterpart)
bollyollie
Pretty sure that's a glimpse of the next Panamera right there, albeit in heavily stylised concept version
Steve Jones
Stunning. But not really supercar - it's a 4-seat GT. Also, it will be really heavy.
Martin Rayner
Sounds a superb concept. Good to see a European manufacturer compete with Tesla. The acceleration isn't as good as Tesla but the range is an excellent improvement. One day all cars might be this good.
Buzzclick
Is that Stuttgart in the background of the video? Very otherworldly.
Not really a Porsche fan, but this one impresses. Inside out.
The Germans are certainly ahead of the automotive curve. The other car cos can't afford not to notice.
Stephen N Russell
Aawesome, Id drive this vs plain Jane Teslas any day Produce to Rent & need charging devices worldwide Love this Make hybrid model for basic testing then full on EV Price wars among luxury EVs has begun: Tesla vs Porsche.
RichardSBurke
Will put TESLA to shame. Notice the 310 miles along with the 15 minute charge to 80%. Price?
Tim Collins
Until such time as there is a Quantum Leap breakthrough in portable electricity storage, all such vehicles are nothing more than pampering to ludicrous "greenut" dreaming...
syncromark
Agree with Steve Jones - THAT'S what the Panamera should have looked like ...
Paul Anthony
why the high voltage? I don't understand. I thought that you would just need a lot of current . I understand that the voltage gives the push, so maybe more push shortens the charge time? Doesn't all that voyage damage the cells?
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