Porsche has taken the wraps off the Porsche Mission X, a dramatic-looking two-seater which was developed to commemorate the brand’s 75th anniversary.
Measuring approximately 4.5 metres long and two metres wide, the Mission X concept study is a relatively compact hypercar. With a wheelbase of 2.73 metres, it has the dimensions of the Carrera GT and 918 Spyder. For aerodynamic purposes, the concept car has mixed-size tyres, with 20-inch wheels at the front and 21-inch wheels at the rear.
The low-slung bodywork which is less than 1.2 metres tall, is finished in Rocket Metallic – an elegant paint colour specially designed for the concept study. Design elements in a carbon-weave finish are found below the beltline.
These components are varnished in a satin finish and are therefore slightly coloured, but their material structure remains recognisable. Meanwhile, the rear axle is fitted with almost transparent aeroblades, which are designed like turbines for better cooling of the brakes.
A lightweight glass dome with an exoskeleton made of carbon-fibre- reinforced plastic extends over both occupants. The Le Mans-style doors are attached to the A-pillar and the roof; they open forwards and upwards. This type of door was previously used on the legendary Porsche 917 racing car.
Another eye-catcher is the light signature. The vertical base form of the headlights was inspired by historic racing cars such as the Porsche 906 and 908 and drawn well down towards the road. A high-tech support structure frames the LED light modules and presents the exposed narrow elements of daytime running lights and indicators. When activated, the light opens up like an eye blinking open.
A full-length light unit that appears to float characterises the rear of the Mission X. Transparent, illuminated Porsche lettering is a standout feature. The sculptural rear light emerges, as if suspended in the air, from a modern support structure and extends across the entire width of the vehicle in four segments. While charging, the ‘E’ of the Porsche lettering pulsates, adding a sense of mystery.
Also worth mentioning here is the fact that the new and modernised Porsche crest makes its debut on the Mission X. It is found on the bonnet and steering wheel as well as in monochrome form on the wheel centres.
Inside, the two seats are coloured differently. Apart from the leather pads in Andalusia Brown, the driver’s seat is Kalahari Grey and forms a single unit of colour with the centre console and the dashboard.
The passenger seat is in the contrasting Andalusia Brown shade. Beyond the CFRP seat shells, and their six-point seatbelts integrated into the monocoque, further motorsport parallels include the open-top steering wheel, which has mode switches and shift paddles. There are multiple cameras on board. Recording starts as soon as the driver presses the Record button (REC) on the multi-purpose controller.
Another highlight is found on the passenger side, where there is a bayonet system embedded in the instrument panel to which a stopwatch module can be attached. For the Mission X, Porsche Design has created a special stopwatch module with an analogue and digital display. The clocks are designed for both racetrack and rally use and can display the lap times or vital data of the driver, among other information.
Developed to be the fastest road-legal vehicle around the Nürburgring Nordschleife, Porsche says that the Mission X will have a power-to-weight ratio of One PS per kilogram. However, no technical details regarding the performance have been revealed yet. All we know is that the battery is installed centrally behind the vehicle’s seats so that the ‘e-core layout’ centres the mass in the car.
