2019 Porsche Mission E – Sneaky Quiet Motorsport

You knew it had to happen. Tesla started a trend that is going nowhere but up. And when people began to realize that electric motors provide instant torque, the definition of performance changed. Porsche had to get in on that game and they signaled they would at the 2015 Geneva Car Show where the Mission E debuted as a prototype. Four years later, the Porsche Mission E becomes a reality and you should see them in dealer showrooms late in 2019.

So how does a brand that has a legacy of racing and performance, incredible driver experience, and growling, whining, exhaust tones, transition to a power source many associate with Lionel model trains? They do it by keeping their focus on the driver, using their other-worldly engineering skills, blending the results with the latest automotive technology, and topping it off with a body that looks like it should be displayed at the Museum of Modern Art.

One Sexy Looking Ride

Porsche owners are accustomed to people staring at their ride. They may even expect that as part of the Porsche experience. But when they slide their electric marvel onto the street, it will attract a head-turning crowd with a regularity that might result in some neck strains. The Porsche Mission E is a four-door, four-seat, fastback with lines that strongly suggest 911 and the race-winning 918 Spyder and 919 Hybrid.

The design objective was to create something new and exciting but still familiar, and there is no mistaking this ride for anything other than a Porsche. The arrowhead nose is reminiscent of the 918 Spyder, the broad recess than runs the length of the hood and continues over the roof is similar to that found on the 911 GT3 RS. But when they toss in new designs to give the Porsche Mission E its own personality like unique air intakes and outlets on the front, sides, and rear. The Matrix LED four-point headlights appear to hover inside the massive front air intakes. Outside, the end result is an exceptionally impressive aerodynamic package where form follows function.

Porsche Mission E: A Tech Goldmine

Inside is a digital freak’s dream. Sure, the seats are leather and well-bolstered to provide the support needed for sport driving but check this out. Your instrument cluster is displayed on a flat panel mounted just above the steering wheel. If you change your driving position (sit higher, lower, lean to the side) the panel shifts position, so the steering wheel does not obstruct your sightline to the gauges. Or how about a holographic infotainment display that can be activated with a wave of the hand. It operates the radio, navigation system, climate control, phone, and individual apps. You use this thing without touching it. Intuitive gestures, detected by sensors, make it happen. And that’s just a taste of what’s inside this cabin.

Tom Edison Would Call the Porsche Mission E a Bright Idea

While the exterior and interior are impressive, however, the real Porsche magic happens under the body. The Porsche Mission E is officially a sports sedan and that means it has to perform as a practical 9 to 5 daily ride but also stay planted and controlled at high speed through a tight curve on demand. Porsche engineering delivers on both functions.

It starts with an almost perfectly balanced weight. The battery pack is flat and stretches through the body giving the Porsche Mission E a low center of gravity enhancing its lateral dynamics. It’s an AWD platform and when you toss in torque vectoring you give the wheels real steering capability. It has borrowed the active suspension system from the 911 providing the comfort and capability needed to support the performance of this rocket.

Stats wise, the Porsche Mission E will go from a standstill to 60 in less than 3.5 seconds and hit 124 mph in 12 seconds. Range anxiety? There is none with the Porsche Mission E. Providing you don’t frequently test out the 0 to 60 capability, you’ll get 300 miles to a charge.

Speaking of charging, If you have access to an 800-volt charging station, you can get an 80% charge in 15 minutes. Otherwise, use the standard 400-volt stations or, you can get a conductive charging station installed in your garage and all you have to do is park on top of it. The battery will recharge wirelessly.

It's a brave new world.