Porsche enters the all-electric world with its Mission E

by Matt Scanlon

In January, the first 100% electrically powered Porsche, the Mission E, was greenlighted for production, with a forecasted sales date of early 2020. Potentially the most significant threat yet to Tesla’s electric luxury sedan primacy, it is hoped to be, in the words of the Chairman of Porsche’s Executive Board, Dr. Oliver Blume, “a new chapter in the history of the sports car.”

The Stuttgart-based company will be investing about 700 million euros in its main production site, including the building of a new paint shop and assembly plant, and Porcshe’s existing engine factory is also being expanded for the production of electric motors.

The concept car premiered at the Frankfurt International Motor Show in September, but with few engine and performance specifics. Now we know that this four-door has a power output of over 600 hp (440 kW), will jump from 0 to 60 mph in under 3.5 seconds, offer a top speed of 155 mph, and a range of more than 300 miles (range for Tesla’s Model S varies from 210 to 315 miles, depending upon bank storage size).

Batteries are filled via an 800-volt charger specially developed for the car (twice as powerful as typical quick-charge systems), and the lithium-ion banks, integrated within the vehicle’s floor, will fill to 80 percent in just 15 minutes. The vehicle can also be refuelled wirelessly by induction via a coil set into a garage floor.

The front, with its extremely flat hood section, clearly shows familial ties to the Porsche 918 Spyder—a stylistic and technical highlight of which is the Matrix LED headlight units, with integrated sensors for the assistance systems, and “virtual” exterior mirrors further contribute to the remarkably swoopy body lines.

Inside, the absence of a transmission tunnel opens up cabin space and imparts a lighter, more generously proportioned feeling. The seats are inspired by bucket-type racing designs, saving weight and giving passengers lateral support to match the driving dynamics of the car. The driver’s display is curved, inclined, and
programmable—its cluster featuring five round instruments displayed in organic light emitting diodes—all assigned to the driver-relevant function categories Porsche Connect, Performance, Drive, Energy, and Sport Chrono.

No word yet on price, but our guess would be in the neighborhood of $85,000.

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