On Monday in Munich Porsche dropped a bombshell of an EV concept on the IAA Mobility show. While Porsche calls the Mission R a “spectacular look into the automotive future” we think that future isn’t too far away indeed. This car looks ready to hit the racetrack tomorrow in an as-yet-unannounced racing series. From the outset this car is pre-plumbed for fire extinguisher nozzles, it has proper motorsport airjacks, and the roof is predesigned for extraction of the driver in case of an on-track incident. Obviously this still needs a few tweaks, and there isn’t yet a series for full-electric GT sports cars, but if Porsche is previewing a future electric racer, it doesn’t need to deviate too far from this concept.
Obviously we’ve been here before. Porsche unveiled a 918 RSR concept a decade ago which was never built, never raced, and never went beyond the concept stage. We really hope the Mission R doesn’t suffer the same fate, because it’s way too cool to leave on the cutting room floor. With a pair of brand-new high-output electric motors, the Mission R has enough power to make the world spin on its axis. In “qualifying mode” it can put down 800 kW of combined power, which is equivalent to 1072 horsepower! With an 80 kWh battery, Porsche says this car could easily complete a sprint race without any loss of power. The FIA is currently studying the idea of an electric GT sprint race series, which it will call EGT, and it’s possible that Porsche is preparing this car to run there. If I were a betting man — and I definitely am — I’d say Porsche will launch the Mission R as a one-make series above GT3 Cup, perhaps ditching Supercup from the F1 weekend program, instead replacing it with a Porsche Cup Mission R of sorts. Heck, maybe it’ll replace GT3 Cup altogether when the current 992 Cup ages out in about two season’s time.
“Porsche is the brand for people who fulfill their dreams. This is also true in motorsports. We experience our innovative strength on the racetrack, demonstrate courage in pursuing new avenues and delight car owners with sporting performance,” says Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche AG. “In addition to our involvement in the Formula E World Championship, we are now taking the next big step forward in electric mobility. The concept study is our vision of all-electric customer motorsports. The Mission R embodies everything that makes Porsche strong: performance, design and sustainability.”
Porsche claims the Mission R can sprint from 0-60 in under 2.5 seconds, and has a top speed around 180 miles per hour, downforce limited of course. The car is claimed to be able to deliver the same performance as the current GT3 Cup on any given racetrack, but surely a shorter course with tighter corners would favor the all-wheel drive and instant-response of the electric. The Mission R is a bit smaller than a GT3 Cup, in fact it’s slightly shorter overall than the company’s current 718 range of sports cars.
With a 320 kW motor on the front axle and a whopping 480 kW motor on the rear axle, the Mission R is sure to be quick either way. Porsche says in “race mode” it’ll offer a solid 500 kW of power, which is just shy of 700. With Porsche’s advanced 900 volt architecture, the car charges from 5 percent to 80 percent in just 15 minutes. Theoretically, with a few choice lengthy pit stops, these cars could run an endurance race. Unlike the GT3 Cup, the Mission R features advanced active aerodynamics with F1-style drag reduction system built into the front and rear of the car. On the nose there are three louvers in each of the fenders which can allow air to flow through instead of under the body, and an adjustable two-element rear wing.
Instead of carbon-intensive CFRP, Porsche has instead opted for a flax-fiber “Natural Fiber Reinforced Plastic” to build the body panels. This material is ecologically produced, and Porsche makes use of it in the front spoiler, the diffuser, the side skirts, and all over the interior. It’s nice to see Porsche is actually dedicated to pushing the envelope of sustainable production with this Mission R thing.
I truly hope a street version of this car comes to fruition in short order, because it’s gorgeous, exciting, and quick. Surely it will deliver the Porsche driving experience that the company has always been known for, and that’s exactly the kind of car we’ve been begging Porsche to build for at least five years. I can’t wait to see the Mission R strassenversion make its way to my local Porsche dealer.
