Porsche Mission S previews a halo car above the 911
Something’s brewing at Porsche. The brand has a history of using its Mission concepts to hint at what’s coming next, and the Mission S could be one of its most significant previews yet. If your memory is sharp, you will know that the Taycan is the production version of the Mission E concept unveiled in 2015.
Now Porsche has unveiled its new Mission S vision model, and while the idea is enticing, it’s the specifics that caught our attention. The Mission S is a new flagship sportscar to slot above the infamous 911 and previews a mid-engined super sportscar platform. Unlike limited-run predecessors, such as the 911 GT1 Strassenversion and 911 R, Porsche says it wants to make this a permanent, versatile part of the line-up.
In terms of design, the Mission S combines the brand’s traditional styling with more contemporary design cues while taking inspiration from several historic models such as the 911, 550 Spyder, 356, GT1, 959, and 928. According to the German manufacturer, the Mission E’s design also previews what future Porsches could look like.
Visually, the Mission E is a stunning work of art. The concept doesn’t deviate from the current Porsche design elements, and that’s a good thing. It comes with round headlights, prominent front fenders that remind us of the 911, and a low, flat nose inspired by the GT1. At the rear, it features an active wing that looks integrated into the bodywork, while the wheel design takes inspiration from the 928’s iconic dial-style wheels, with an emphasis on lightweight construction.
Arguably one of the more interesting parts is the interior, which runs against the trend towards increasingly screen-heavy cabins. That said, there are five round instruments with analogue needles, and physical buttons share the dash with the displays. The motorsport-inspired seats get a centrally integrated belt buckle and repositioned electric adjustment controls. Where you’d expect a fixed central touchscreen, there’s a retractable, MagSafe-compatible smartphone system instead. And the key still sits to the left of the steering wheel, a Porsche habit the Mission S has preserved.
At this stage, the Mission S presents plenty of unanswered questions, including production timing, pricing, powertrain specifications and performance figures. Still, given its planned position above the 911, the prospect of a new, permanent mid-engined super sportscar in Porsche’s line-up is an exciting one. For now, we’ll have to wait for Porsche to reveal more.
