Porsche has unveiled its new Mission E concept car ahead of this week’s annual Frankfurt motor show to be held from September 17-27, giving the auto industry a glimpse into the electric-powered future which awaits.
The German car maker took centre stage during the build up to the 66th International Motor Show (IAA) as it premiered its Mission E – an electric powered sedan that can reportedly drive up to 500km on a single charge from the first 800 volt recharging technology.
The Mission E also boasts impressive features including a system power of over 600hp (440kW) and the impressive acceleration of zero to 100km/h in under 3.5 seconds.
The concept car takes 15 minutes of charging time to reach an 80% total charge of electrical energy- part of the first 800-volt drive system.
Les Mans inspired
To help create its Mission E, Porsche drew on the knowledge gained in the development of its Les Mans-winning 919 Hybrid race car, using two permanent magnet synchronous motors similar to those used in this year’s Les Mans race winner.
Porsche also implemented the lightweight construction and battery technology it had previously created for the 918 Spyder.
Various elements of the Mission E’s chassis, including the suspension, have been sourced from Porsche’s second-generation Panamera which is due out next year.
Porsche Mission E set to rival Tesla
The Mission E is set to be a rival for Tesla’s new Model S sedan, an industry leader after becoming the first electric car to top the monthly new car sales ranking in any country, having done so in Norway in 2013.
A key feature of the new Mission E is its Porsche Torque Vectoring – an electronically controlled function which automatically distributes torque to the individual wheels, which helps to improve the handling balance.
The Porsche Torque Vectoring is part of the concept car’s innovative on-demand/need-based four wheel drive system, in which the front wheels are only driven during periods of acceleration, under hard driving or on slippery road surfaces to help save energy.
Head of Porsche’s research and development, Wolfgang Hatz, was on hand for the unveiling of the Mission E at this week’s media preview in Frankfurt.
Hatz said the Mission E had met the performance criteria and creative ambition Porsche had aimed for when creating its first electric car: “We always said that when we do an electric car, it would be a true sportscar, we also said it would offer the performance traditional Porsche buyers demand.
“We have achieved both goals, while providing it with everyday practicality and an exceptional range.”
He added that the Mission E represented the future of Porsche: “We are deadly serious about this car, it is not just a concept, but a clear look at the future of Porsche.
“The implications to the brand are as important as those when the 911 was created over 50 years ago.”
The Mission E is expected to be a star attraction at this week’s Frankfurt Motor Show, when it will be revealed for the first time along with the brand new 911. [Both vehicles are featured in the below video]
So when will the Mission E be available? Not any time soon it would seem.
Porsche has admitted that technology still has some way to go to catch up with the concept. But chairman of the board of management at Porsche AG, Matthias Müller, stated that should be, “Presumably in less than five years.” But it’s unclear on what information that prediction is based.
