Porsche Mission R (2021). Electric heir to the 911 GT3 Cup?

It was in the suburbs of Munich that Porsche presented its Mission R concept.

After the Mission E, which announced the Taycan sedan, Porsche presents the Mission R concept at the Munich Motor Show. With an R for Racing: if the double engine remains 100% electric, this study takes on the features of a racing car dedicated to a possible one-design championship.

In a future that some want devoid of any heat engine, will motorsport still have its place? For Porsche, already involved in Formula E, the answer is obviously a big yes. But the electric single-seater championship is far from satisfying the brand. In particular, he has to imagine a sequel to the 911 GT3 Cup, which serves as the basis for one-design trophies all over the planet. This is the meaning of this Mission R concept, which made its grand debut at the Munich Motor Show.

A look between Taycan, Cayman and 911

The stake is both commercial and sporting. Since the debut of the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland 31 years ago, more than 4,400 Cup-badged cars have been produced. In an attempt to continue this success, the Mission R study could have continued to take the 911 as a basis. But the emblematic sports car remains a fan of the thermal. Porsche therefore preferred to act in a more subtle way.

porsche mission r competition — This study was conceived as if it had to run in a one-design trophy, like the many championships contested with 911 GT3 Cups.

porsche mission r dimensions — At 4.33 m long, this concept is a little shorter than a 718 Cayman. But it is much wider, almost 2m, and lower, at only 1.19m high.

If the stern evokes the most iconic model of the brand, the facies is more reminiscent of the sedan and the Taycan station wagon. As for the length of 4.33 m, it is slightly less than that of a 718 Cayman. The stripped cockpit is, him, well and truly cut for the competition, even if this study shows more care in the design and the finish than the majority of the racehorses.

Up to 1,088 hp in “qualifications” mode

porsche mission r passenger compartment — The interior attempts to marry the usual simplicity of racing cars with a sense of design specific to styling studies.

However, it is above all by its engine that this Mission R stands out. Or rather its engines since there is an electric motor of 435 hp at the front and a second of 653 hp at the rear. Unlike a 911 Cup, this pistarde thus has four-wheel drive. It is also significantly more powerful, despite simply similar lap times: up to 1088 hp, instead of 510 hp. This makes it possible to announce a 0 to 100 km / h in barely 2.5 s, and a top speed of 300 km / h. But as in the days of the Formula 1 turbo in the 1980s, heavy artillery is reserved for qualifying. When racing, to preserve autonomy, constant power is limited to 680 hp.

Flax fiber drives out carbon fiber

porsche mission r interior door — The storm door is also made of plastic reinforced with flax fiber …

The ecological nature of this concept is also reflected in the use of more durable materials. Carbon or aluminum are thus replaced in some places by flax fiber reinforced plastic (NFRP), which would make it possible to combine a reduction in CO emissions.₂, rigidity and lightness. Unfortunately, the total weight is nowhere indicated, and the presence of an 80 kWh battery does not bode well in this area. However, this accumulator can be filled fairly quickly. It accepts loads of up to 900 volts and 340 kW, which would allow to go from 5 to 80% autonomy in 15 minutes. It’s even better than the Taycan, limited to 270 kW and 800 volts.

Porsche mission e hood windshield headlights — The face of this study evokes that of the Taycan family.

porsche mission r 911 resemblance — The rounded shape of the stern remains in the spirit of the 911.

Not necessarily enough to console thermal addicts, who will always mourn the absence of the howls of the atmospheric flat-six. But at least if this Mission R becomes a reality, the races should be able to follow one another without too much downtime. While the 911 Cup has not necessarily said its last word: to allow it to survive a long time while reducing its carbon footprint, Porsche is campaigning for the use of synthetic fuels.