Porsche hypercars have been few and much between. The 918 Spyder got here out in 2013 whereas the Carrera GT launched in 2004. Even additional again, the 959 debuted in 1986. In 2023, Mission X previewed a possible flagship mannequin from Zuffenhausen. Later this yr, a call can be made whether or not to put the concept into production. If green-lighted, there’s going to be a significant {hardware} change.
When the all-electric Mission X debuted in June 2023 to rejoice Porsche’s 75th anniversary, the idea had a rear-wheel-drive structure. However, a subsequent road-legal automotive would swap to an all-wheel-drive setup. Not to unlock additional efficiency, however to enhance effectivity. As bizarre as that may sound when speaking a few hypercar, it is smart. An AWD setup would considerably enhance power restoration to place extra juice again into the battery and assist lengthen the vary.
Speaking with Australian journal Which Car, Mission X undertaking supervisor Michael Behr defined why AWD can be adopted: “It’s an electric car and you need a four-wheel-driven car to recuperate a lot of energy [for the battery] to have a bigger range on the Nordschleife, not just for one lap, maybe for three laps.”
That’s nonetheless an especially low vary contemplating the monitor is just below 13 miles lengthy, so three laps can be 39 miles. However, Behr was speaking about three laps carried out by a driver who is aware of what they’re doing and might extract each drop of efficiency from the Mission X. Driven at an everyday tempo, the electrical hypercar would probably have a considerably increased vary.
That mentioned, it is apparent Porsche would not wish to cram in an enormous battery to increase vary since that might add weight. It can be tough to put in a supersized battery anyway because the idea was solely 177.1 inches lengthy, so there can be packaging constraints. Behr talked about the wheelbase can be altered for a manufacturing model in comparison with the idea, which measured 107.5 inches between the axles.
In the idea, the battery was mounted centrally behind the seats and featured direct oil cooling. Porsche developed the Mission X with a 900-volt system structure to allow charging speeds about twice as shortly because the pre-facelift Taycan Turbo S. The up to date electrical sedan now helps 320-kilowatt charging energy as an alternative of 270 kilowatts, and might replenish the battery from 10 to 80 % in 18 minutes.
During the identical interview, Behr advised the manufacturing model is more likely to be offered strictly with a left-hand-drive structure to cut back complexity. He added it might have extra headroom than the 918 Spyder, enabling drivers to comfortably use a helmet. This can be attainable by becoming doorways that open upwards and ahead in the identical vein as on the 917 Le Mans racer, which additionally had the curved glass extending onto the roof.
Porsche has beforehand mentioned it would approve the Mission X for manufacturing provided that it meets sure standards. It should generate extra downforce than the 911 GT3 RS and have a power-to-weight ratio of 1 to 1. In addition, it should double the charging velocity of a Taycan Turbo S. Most importantly, it should set a file for a street-legal manufacturing automotive across the Nürburgring. The title at present belongs to the Mercedes-AMG One with a lap time of 6 minutes and 35.18 seconds.
Porsche holds the outright file across the Green Hell with the track-only 919 Hybrid Evo and an unbelievable 5:19.55 lap.
