
Porsche Introduces 600-HP All-Electric Sports Car ‘Tesla Killer’ Concept
Who Needs a DeLorean built by an eccentric scientist when there’s the Porsche Mission E? A 600 hp, 300-mile driving range, 15 minutes charging time concept is revealed in Frankfurt
Porsche’s concept car combines the company’s unmistakable design and performance with the world’s first 800-volt drive system. Key features include: four doors and four single seats, over 600 hp system power and over 300 mile driving range, all-wheel drive and all-wheel steering, zero to 60 mph acceleration in under 3.5 seconds and a charging time of around 15 minutes to reach an 80 percent charge of electrical energy. Instruments are intuitively operated by eye-tracking and gesture control, some even via holograms – yes, holograms!
The drive system of the Mission E is entirely new, yet in typical Porsche style, it has been race proven at Le Mans. Two permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSM) – similar to those used in this year’s Le Mans winner, the 919 hybrid – accelerate the sports car and recover braking energy.
In addition to its high efficiency, power density and uniform power development, the Mission E offers another advantage: unlike today’s electric drive systems, it can develop full power even after multiple accelerations at short intervals. The need-based all-wheel drive system with Porsche Torque Vectoring – which automatically distributes torque to the individual wheels – transfers the drive system’s power to the road, and all-wheel steering gives precise, sporty steering in the desired direction. This makes the Mission E a fit for the race track as well (where the company says its lap time on the Nürburgring Nordschleife is under the eight-minute mark).
The Mission E can travel over 300-miles on one battery charge, and it can be charged with enough energy for around 250-miles extra driving range in about fifteen minutes. The reason: Porsche’s innovative 800-volt technology that doubles the voltage compared to today’s electric vehicles that operate at 400 volts. It offers multiple advantages including: shorter charging times and lower weight, because lighter, smaller gage copper cables are sufficient for energy transport. A moveable body segment on the front left wing in front of the driver’s door gives access to the charging port for the innovative “Porsche Turbo Charging” system. Via the 800-volt port, the battery can be charged to approximately 80 percent of its capacity in around 15 minutes – a speedy time for electric vehicles. As an alternative, the technology platform can be connected to a conventional 400-volt charging station, or it can be replenished at home in the garage via convenient inductive charging by simply parking over a coil embedded in the floor of the garage from which the energy is transferred without cables to a coil on the car’s underbody.
Another feature that is typical of a Porsche is its lightweight concept with optimal weight distribution and a low center of gravity. The battery mounted in the car’s underbody, which is based on the latest lithium-ion technology, runs the whole length between the front and rear axles. This distributes its weight to the two drive axles uniformly, resulting in exceptionally good balance. In addition, it makes the sports car’s center of gravity extremely low. Both of these factors significantly boost performance and a sports car feeling. The body as a whole is made up of a functional mix of aluminium, steel and carbon fiber reinforced polymer. The wheels are made of carbon: the Mission E has wide tyres mounted on 21-inch wheels in front and 22-inch wheels at the rear.
The interior of the Mission E transfers all of the traditional Porsche design principles into the future: openness, purist design, clean architecture, driver orientation and everyday practicality. The all-electric drive concept made it possible to fully reinterpret the interior. The lack of a transmission tunnel, for instance, opens up space and gives a lighter and more airy atmosphere to the entire interior. Race bucket seats served as inspiration for the four single seats. Their lightweight design is weight-saving, and it gives a secure lateral support during dynamic driving. Between the front seats, the center console.
The concept vehicle can also be configured externally from a tablet via Porsche Car Connect. Using “Over the Air and Remote Services” the driver can essentially change the functional content of the vehicle overnight. A simple update via the integrated high-speed data module is all it takes to implement the travel guide or additional functions for the chassis, engine or infotainment system. The driver can use a smartphone or tablet to start updates conveniently from the Porsche Connect Store. Furthermore, Porsche Connect enables direct contact to a Porsche Center for remote diagnostics or to schedule appointments. Another function of integrated Remote Services is the digital key, which can be sent via the Porsche Connect Portal. It not only lets the owner open the doors, but also other persons authorized by the owner such as friends or family. After successful authentication, the key can be used within a specific time frame and defined location.
The next step – which may not be so far fetched anymore – is to install a flux capacitor that runs on leftover kitchen scraps.
Source: Porsche Press Release