What Can We Expect From Porsche’s Concept Electric Sports Car: Mission E?

In April 2018, Porsche announced the lineup of their three Mission E vehicles: a fully electric line of luxury sports cars set to debut in 2021 and 2022. This announcement has made waves in both the electric and luxury vehicle worlds, prompting questions about the future of companies like Tesla. Major luxury automakers like Porsche have the resources to make these vehicles at faster rates and with better quality workmanship. However, to Ira Riklis and many others the concept of a fully electric Porsche still seems foreign – what can we expect from the Mission E lineup?

What’s Under The Hood?

What does a fully electric sports car look like under the hood? This is a common question for people considering making the switch to electric. Does an electric Porsche have power comparable to its gas counterparts?

While the parts may be completely different, the Mission E has the power and speed you’d expect from other Porsche models. Here’s what’s happening under the hood while you’re behind the wheel:

• Brand new powertrain based on motorsports technology
• Two permanent magnet synchronous motors (PSMs) thrust the vehicle forward and recover energy during braking. One PSM powers the rear axle, and the other powers the front axle.
• The PSMs have a combined output of 600 hp, which launches the Mission E from 0-60 miles per hour in less than 3.5 seconds and 0-124 miles per hour in less than 12 seconds.
• These engines are considered the turbo versions of electric motors because they convert electrical energy into propulsion very quickly and build up little heat during this process.

As you can see, you don’t have to sacrifice power to make the switch from gas to electric with Mission E vehicles.

How Does It Drive?

For many sports car owners, the driving experience is the most important part of the vehicle. These driving enthusiasts will be pleased to know that the Mission E doesn’t sacrifice in this department either. The vehicle’s battery lies flat throughout most of the underbody, which helps lower the car’s center of gravity and improves its lateral dynamics. The weight distribution between the front and the rear is also very well-balanced.

The Mission E concept includes a variable all-wheel-drive system, complete with Porsche Torque Vectoring. The flat battery and well-distributed weight help this system function optimally. Similar to the 911 GT3 and 911 Turbo models, all four wheels are used to steer the vehicle.

The Mission E may handle corners and curves even better than some electric Porsches because of an active suspension system derived from the iconic 911. This feature makes the Mission E appropriate for race tracks, and the vehicle is expected to lap the Nordschleife of the Nürburgring in less than 8 minutes.

How Practical Is The Mission E To Use & Charge?

For many prospective electric car buyers, charging time and the battery life of the vehicle are the most important sticking points. This is understandable, as convenience is extremely important in a vehicle. Fortunately, the Mission E has one of the most powerful and quickest charging systems in the electric car market.

Porsche has doubled the standard charging voltage, from 400 to 800. This means much shorter charging times and less weight, as power is transferred by thin copper wires. The size of the lithium-ion battery allows the car to drive for over 300 miles on one charge.

There are plans in place to place charging stations along German freeways with this 800-volt technology. But if you need a charge, the vehicle can also be charged at more common 400-volt stations or in your own garage.

So Is The Mission E Worth A Switch To Electric?

If you’re environmentally conscious, you’ve likely considered switching from gas to electric vehicles. However, sports car enthusiasts have had very few options for an electrically powered luxury sports vehicle that doesn’t sacrifice power. That all changes with Porsche’s unveiling of their upcoming concept car, the Mission E.

This vehicle checks all the boxes. It’s just as stylish and powerful as gas-powered Porsches like the 911. The design, battery, and charging system also make it extremely efficient and convenient, with short charging times and up to 300 miles on a single charge.

In our opinion, anyone who has been hoping for an efficient and powerful electrical sports car should heavily consider going with a Mission E when the lineup is officially released in 2021 and 2022.