Image: Porsche
This week Porsche not-so-subtly hinted that a new motorsport-inspired “concept study” would be making its debut at the IAA show in Munich next month. Obviously there isn’t much to go from here, as the teaser image is little more than a headlight. It’s clear that this headlight design is at least inspired by the Taycan, but does not appear to be directly related to the current Taycan electric sedan. The quad light signature is rapidly branching out across the Porsche lineup, but it’s possible that this is a hint that this upcoming concept will be electric or hybrid.
Let’s ponder on the fact that Porsche linked this specific concept to its motor sport history for a second. Porsche has recently taken on the Formula E grid with its 99X Electric open wheeler. It’s possible that this will be a track-inspired electric machine based loosely around a Formula E architecture. Maybe Porsche has a GT-division derived version of the Taycan? Call it the GT3 version of the Taycan to directly take on (tay con?) Tesla’s newly launched HiPo Plaid. Prior to the move to Formula E, Porsche was running a top-flight LMP1 car at Le Mans and in the FIA WEC, so it’s possible that the turbocharged V4 engine and hybrid powertrain from that 919 Hybrid project has found its way into a new hypercar to carry on the legacy of the 918 Spyder.
Maybe we’re thinking a little too hard. Maybe this will simply be a two-door version of the already quite successful Taycan sedan. That would be quite an exciting proposition, if you ask us. The coupified Taycan could be the perfect platform to launch a new one-make series in the vein of 911 GT3 Cup. Porsche is clearly moving into electric performance, and a one-make series with short 20-30 minute sprint races could be the perfect venue for such a car to race. While a new generation GT3 Cup chassis just launched this season, it wouldn’t be the first time Porsche deviated from the 911 chassis for the Cup category, as the series formerly ran with 944s and 944 Turbos.
Whatever the car will be, it will launch officially on Sept. 6 via a livestream event. The following day the vehicle will be on display at the IAA show in Munich, if you absolutely must see it in the sheetmetal.
