Porsche has shown the Mission S concept car, previewing a new mid-engined super sports car for the company, which will go above the 911.

Unlike several one-off hypercars developed in the past, this one is set to be a permanent and versatile addition to Porsche’s model range.

Unveiled in New York as part of the Porsche ‘Sportwagenschmiede ’35’ strategy, the Mission S provides a preview of both a new flagship supercar, as well as the evolving design language of the company. While details such as the production name, specifications, price, or launch date have not been revealed, the Mission S suggests that Porsche is prepared to enter the upper supercar class in direct competition with Ferrari and Lamborghini.

A New Supercar Above the 911

The 911 has long been the poster child and the crown jewel of Porsche’s model range. With the Mission S, the company is set to acquire another large-scale sports car, which will complement the 911. According to Porsche’s chairman Dr. Michael Leiters, the Mission S represents “a mid-engined super sports car platform above the 911.” It will not be a one-off project, as several concept cars in the past were meant to be, but rather a permanent addition to Porsche’s customer offerings.

This suggests that, similar to the 911, the Mission S will also have several variations and body styles, which will stem from a single platform.

Mid-Engine Configuration

As the name suggests, the Mission S will utilize a mid-engine configuration. This means that the engine will be located at the center of the car, behind the driver but in front of the rear axle.

While details about the engine are not available, the Mission S will be capable of utilizing either a petrol powertrain, a conventional hybrid powertrain, and a plug-in hybrid powertrain. Interestingly, the Mission S will not be able to utilize a fully electric powertrain, as Porsche is phasing out its electric-only plans.

It is possible that a flat-plane V8 engine will form the foundation of the Mission S’s powertrain, which will be supplemented by hybrid technology, although the company has remained silent on the details.

Design Inspired by Porsche Classics

The Mission S blends contemporary supercar design cues with elements lifted from various Porsche classics to form a distinctly Porsche look. Its low, wide, and aggressive design exudes performance. The design highlights include:

Round headlights inspired by the 911

Low front end with prominent front fenders

Roof intake inspired by the 911 GT1

Sloping roof

Active rear wing inspired by the 959

The GT1-inspired rear bodywork

Light line spanning the length of the vehicle

The car’s rear also features a “car-in-a-car” design, as the spoiler seamlessly blends into the rear bodywork. All these design elements combine to form an iconic look that is instantly recognisable as a Porsche.

Driver-Focused Cockpit with No Touchscreens

The interior of the Mission S breaks with the convention of modern supercars, which makes extensive use of touchscreens. Instead, the Mission S has a decidedly driver-focused interior that puts minimal distraction on the driver.

The highlights of the interior include:

Five round dials behind the steering wheel

Analog rev counter in the center of the dash

Physical controls for the car’s functions

No traditional central dash infotainment screen

Retractable smartphone mount with MagSafe support

Porsche has done away with the traditional central touchscreen, which allows the driver to keep his eyes on the road. The five round dials provide the basic information, while the physical controls allow the driver to manage the car’s functions without taking his eyes off the road. Similarly, the retractable MagSafe smartphone mount allows the driver to use his phone for navigation without being distracted by the road.

Versatile Platform Will Yield Multiple Variants

Porsche promises that the Mission S will be a dedicated platform, which will be exclusive to Porsche. It will also be flexible, and it will be able to yield multiple variants, including:

Coupe

Roadster / Spyder

GT variant for track-focused driving

Hybrid performance variant

Plug-in hybrid variant

By virtue of offering multiple powertrain options and multiple body styles, Porsche will be able to offer several variations of the Mission S, instead of a single hypercar. This will enable the company to create an entire model range above the 911, instead of having just one car.

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Why Porsche is Pursuing this Strategy

Porsche is changing its strategic direction under the guidance of the ‘Sportwagenschmiede ’35’ strategy. As a result, the company is set to boost profits by focusing on higher volumes and higher-profit products. The Mission S fits into this strategic direction because it will help Porsche achieve both these goals.

First, the Mission S will enable Porsche to generate higher volumes of sales, as it will comprise multiple variants. Secondly, the Mission S is a higher-profit vehicle, as it will carry a higher price tag than the 911. This will enable Porsche to boost its profit margins and overall profitability.

The creation of a new supercar range will also enable Porsche to diversify its product portfolio, as it will create healthy competition between its 911 and Mission S ranges. It will also help position Porsche against its key competitors, Ferrari, and Lamborghini, in the ultra-high-end sports car segment.

Production Timeline and Price

Porsche has remained silent on when the production version of the Mission S will be available. However, according to industry insiders, the production version of the Mission S will be available no later than 2029. In terms of pricing, it is expected that the Mission S will cost substantially more than the 911.

Some reports suggest that the starting price of the Mission S will be approximately $500,000 (about Rs. 4.2 crore). However, it is important to note that these are just reports, as Porsche has remained silent on the matter.

What Does this Mean for Porsche Fans?

The Mission S is the most exciting Porsche concept car in recent times. It will help bring back the mid-engined supercar to Porsche’s model range, which has been absent since the discontinuation of the 918 Spyder in 2015.

What to expect from the Mission S:

A permanent supercar range from Porsche, which will comprise multiple models

A mid-engined sports car, which will offer better agility than the 911

A petrol, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid powertrain options

An iconic design that blends modern and classic Porsche design cues

A driver-focused cockpit with minimal in-car infotainment screens

Variations that will include a roadster, a coupe, and a hybrid performance variant

The Porsche Mission S concept car is an exciting prospect, as it will enable Porsche to build a new supercar range that will compete directly with Ferrari and Lamborghini. With its mid-engined configuration, flexible powertrain options, iconic design language, and driver-focused cockpit, the Mission S has the potential to become one of the most sought-after sports cars of the decade. This is especially so considering the fact that it will be a permanent addition to Porsche’s model range.

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