Porsche Mission E electric saloon revealed at Frankfurt

The new car combines the fundamental look of traditional rear engine Porsche models up front together with the stretched proportions of the German car maker’s more modern front end offerings, providing the Mission E with a wonderfully balanced appearance that’s further enhanced by a terrifically strong stance.

The smooth surfacing treatment and exquisite detailing throughout endows the new car with puristic look in keeping with the timeless appeal of all great classic Porsche models. However, there is also evidence of progressiveness in the way Porsche also eschewed traditional headlamps for distinctive LED assemblies boasting the four point graphic of recent models and used small cameras mounted in the front wings, with images projected on to the lower corners of the windscreen, in place of traditional rear view mirrors.

Among those involved in developing the arresting exterior of the new concept was Mitja Borkert, the head of Porsche’s advanced design department largely credited with developing the svelte lines of the earlier Panamera Grand Turismo.

New style, familiar feel

At 4850mm in length, 1990mm in width and 1300mm in height, the Mission E is 165mm shorter, 60mm wider and a significant 120mm lower than Porsche's existing saloon, the Panamera. By comparison, the Tesla Model S stretches to 4975mm in length, 1965mm in width and 1435mm in width.

Inside, the concept provides accommodation for up to four on individual seats featuring a heavily structured design, ultra thin back rests and integrated headrests both front and rear. There are also two luggage compartments – one up front under the bonnet and another smaller one at rear beneath the fixed rear window.

Despite boasting a more heavily raked windscreen than its legendary stablemate, the driving position and front seat height is similar to that of the 911. “We wanted to provide it with a familiar Porsche feel,” says Ivo van Hulten, the interior designer.

A highly contemporary looking dashboard receives a free standing five-dial instrument binnacle featuring an eye tracking function activated by a button on a three-spoke steering wheel. When activated, the three-dimensional display automatically adjusts to suit the position of the driver, providing a tailor made environment in which all relevant information is set perfectly in the line of sight. Additionally, a holographic display extends into the passenger’s side of the car, providing information in three-dimensional graphics.

The production version of the Mission E must occupy a regular slot in Porsche's line-up, said project chief Stefan Weckbach: “The question is whether there will just be battery car enthusiasts in four or five years’ time, or will there just be people who want a nice-performing car?”

The product planning case for the 4.8-metre-long Mission E is based around the assumption that electric cars will be mainstream models, which explains why theMission E is sized to sit below the Cayenne and Panamera.

“We don’t want to substitute our Panamera or SUVs, so we have targeted a smaller segment,” said Weckbach.

Because of that and its electric-only make-up, the car is being designed from the ground up. Only minor modules will be shared with the new Volkswagen Group MSB platform, which Porsche is developing for the next-gen Panamera and Bentley Continental range. The battery will be co-developed with Audi’s e-tron quattro, which also appeared at Frankfurt.

“That’s why we are looking at 2019/2020 for series production,” said Weckbach. “It needs some time to develop components for everyday usability.”

The body structure will be an ‘intelligent multi-material mix’ of mainly steel and aluminium, with carbon composites where needed, as with the new 911. Unlike BMW, which has invested heavily in a carbonfibre factory for the i3 and i8, Porsche is convinced of the benefits of steel and aluminium.

“If we thought a full carbonfibre structure was the solution, then we would do it,” said Weckbach. “But we didn’t come to that conclusion.” As a result, production numbers of around 20,000 a year are under consideration.

Weckbach said the new body structure will not be capable of accepting a conventional combustion engine powertrain, so the Mission E will have to be an economic success as a battery-powered car only.

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