Everywhere we look, there is an automotive proprietor offering a new futuristic feature. Some have increased their vehicles’ self-driving capabilities, while others offer displays of flying vehicles to entice new fans to their respective brands. All these forward-facing features are good, but it seems companies have become so focused on technology that the driving experience falls by the wayside. With the unveiling of the Porsche Mission S, the automaker proves you can provide a futuristic design and prioritize the driving experience without fancy gadgets.
“The Mission S provides a glimpse of the ideas and design features that will shape Porsche in the coming years,” says Dr. Michael Leitars, chairman of the executive board of Porsche AG. “The focus is on the authentic, consequent, and timeless design of the vehicle and a particularly intense connection between driver and car.“
Engine specifications have not been made public; however, Porsche told Car and Driver that the new line will have gasoline, hybrid, and plug-in options available. If something can be inferred by the mid-engine concept car and factoring in the brand’s history, it’s going to throw you back in your seat no matter what. There’s one exterior characteristic that is worth noting as it relates to performance: a fan. On the concept vehicle just ahead of the fully integrated active rear wing, one may notice a radiator fan meant to emulate the one on the historic Porsche 917.
The sleek, attention-grabbing exterior is headlined by its torpedo-style fenders, roofline, and width-to-height ratio. Porsche’s goal in combining these three elements as focal points is to create “floating volumes.” Or, in terms the rest of us can understand, surfaces and forms that seem to float.
As futuristic and technical-looking as the exterior is, Porsche ensured it integrated several nods from its history. If you’re standing at the front of the vehicle, you’ll notice the round headlights and pronounced fenders meant to be reminiscent of the iconic 911. The flat front is inspired by the 911 GT1, and the roofline and rear wing are a nod to the 959. The doors, hood, trunk, and fenders pair with the light graphics to honor the 1974-1989 G-model 911.
One glance at the interior and it’s clear this car continues Porsche’s MO for driving. Instead of feeling like you’ve stepped into a sports bar where you’re surrounded by screens, the driver can pay attention to the five gauges behind the wheel, headlined by an analog tachometer. Also notice how clean the right side of the dashboard is! This is because Porsche deliberately ensured the only screen that would go into this would be your MagSafe technology-capable smartphone. There is a retractable tray that can hold your phone so it can serve as navigation or an informational display. However, in order to take advantage of customization opportunities, you must have the My Porsche App downloaded. The good news? That app is free.
The Porsche Mission S concept foreshadows what is planned for the future for the German automaker. At the top, it appears the 911 may be overtaken by a new super sports car. Pricing, release dates, and dealership arrival dates have not yet been announced.
