Porsche celebrates 70 years with new model name, nostalgic concept
PORSCHE has just celebrated “70 years of Porsche Sports Cars” in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen with an unveiling of the 911 Speedster Concept as well as revealing the name of its first all- electric sports car — the Taycan.
June 8, 1948 was the day that the Porsche brand received a general operating permit for its first prototype.
Now 70 years later, an anniversary model, 911 Speedster Concept car, forges a link between that very first Porsche 356 ‘No. 1’ Roadster and the brand’s latest technology.
Designed to reflect the “essence of the Stuttgart-based sports car manufacturer,” this open-top model adopts the body of the 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet, shortening the windshield and side windows for a more widescreen view, as well as a “more pronounced stance with a very low fly line”.
It is focused on executing a historically accurate model and has omitted the navigation system, radio and air conditioning systems.
Instead of a convertible top, the concept car features a lightweight tonneau cover, which protects the leather full bucket seats from the rain.
As for what’s under the hood, the brand announced the 911 Speedster Concept with a ‘powertrain’ derived from current GT models and developed at the Porsche Motorsport Center in Weissach, which is the birthplace of the 911 GT3, the 911 GT2 RS and, most recently, the 911 GT3 RS.
Pronounced ‘ tie- con’ the brand’s all- electric sports car will arrive next year. Oliver Blume, Chief Executive Officer told the audience at the launch that Taycan roughly translates to “spirited young horse”.
First dubbed Mission E when unveiled as a concept car at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show, the electric sports car is claimed to reach 100 kph in under 3.5 seconds and 200 kph in under 12 seconds.
Porsche plans to invest over 600 billion euros in electromobility by 2022, 500 million euros of that will go to developing its all- electric range with another 700 million euros for new technologies, charging infrastructure and smart mobility. — Relaxnews