Porsche Mission E
Our images give glimpse of how brand’s first EV is shaping up
● Exclusive images preview revolutionary EV, due next year
PORSCHE is applying the finishing touches to the most radical model in its 87-year history. The Mission E will be the German brand’s first fully electric production vehicle and spearhead a commitment to electrification that will see a range of plug-in hybrid models and additional all-electric vehicles launched in the future.
Porsche first signalled its intent to build a fully electric vehicle with the Mission E concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show back in 2015. The production model, which will get a new name over the concept, will be shown early next year ahead of first customers taking delivery at the end of 2019.
Prototypes of the electric saloon disguised as Panameras have been undergoing development testing for several months. Although the Mission E shares a similar silhouette to the Panamera saloon, the Tesla Model S rival will be more compact and cheaper; entry-level versions priced between £60,000 and £70,000 mean it will carry only a small premium over its main rival.
Previewed in our exclusive images, the Mission E will bear a close resemblance to the concept in shape and style, but the rearhinged back doors and matrix LED headlamps will be adapted for production. Features such as the flared haunches, LED tail-light strip
and coupé-like rear end will remain to echo the looks of the 911 sports car.
The concept generated 600bhp via a lithium-ion battery and two electric motors, one on each axle. Porsche claimed this would allow the Mission E to cover 0-62mph in under 3.5 seconds, hit a top speed of 155mph and cover upwards of 300 miles on a single charge.
This version of the Mission E is expected to be the flagship model; Porsche has invested a further 500million Euros (£437million) into its electrification strategy to develop additional versions of the car. The variants, of which there is likely to be three, will vary from around 400bhp up to 600bhp. Porsche CEO Oliver Blume told us: “We will think of different options and there will be more than one, with different levels of power.”
All-wheel drive is expected to be standard on all versions initially, but there is the possibility of Porsche launching a more affordable rear-wheeldrive edition in the future. It also plans a crossover version of the car, as previewed by the Cross Turismo concept that made its debut at March’s Geneva Motor Show.
Over-the-air updates will be possible on the Mission E, upgrading on-board infotainment systems and safety tech, but also offering to boost power if the customer wishes.
The new architecture the car introduces will be used as a base for a fully electric model from Bentley.
Porsche’s commitment to Mission E variants comes as part of a wider investment in the brand’s electrification strategy. The firm will double total investment up to 6bn Euros by 2022, spending on everything from a rapid charging infrastructure to hybrid and electric versions of its existing range.
“All-wheel drive is expected to be standard on all versions initially, but there is the possibility of Porsche launching a rear-wheel-drive version”