More news from Frankfurt 2015 as Porsche up the all electric car game with the presentation of a new all Electric sports limo, the Mission E.
The concept Mission E is a the four-door, four-seat with 592 bhp looking like a fancy Panamera with a hint of 918.
It sits very low to the ground at only 1,300mm tall, with the body constructed from a mix of aluminium, steel and carbon fibre-reinforced polymer. The wheels are made out of carbon and measure 21 inches at the front and 22 inches at the rear.
The four-point matrix LED headlamps are a reinterpretation of the cluster design seen on the facelifted 911, while the 918-inspired plunging roofline and sculpted rear haunches are designed to be as aerodynamic as possible. A distinguishing features of the Mission E is the suicide door layout, with the absence of a B-pillar allowing for easier access to the cabin.
In terms of performance, Porsche has looked to its Le Mans-winning 919 Hybrid racer for assistance. A new 800-volt drive system, consisting of two electric motors and a powerful battery – which Porsche claims is twice as powerful as any other EV system available today – drive the Mission E via all four wheels, developing 582bhp.
Porsche claims 0-62mph in 3.5 seconds for the Mission E, with 0-124mph taking an additional nine seconds. The concept also features four-wheel steering, with Porsche Torque Vectoring automatically distributing power to individual wheels to maximise grip. Porsche also claim a 500km (310-mile) range. That makes it a match for the Tesla Model S and Audi’s e-tron SUV concept.
Where the Mission E takes the upper hand is with the ‘Porsche Turbo Charging’ system, allowing an 80 per cent recharge of the batteries in around 15 minutes via the 800-volt port. Porsche claims this is possible because of the lighter, smaller copper cables the Mission E uses. As an alternative, the batteries can also be replenished wirelessly via inductive charging. A panel behind the front wheel of the concept hides the charge port.
We assume that the technology is shared with Audi E Tron.
Interesting times from the Germans as the Tesla model X gets closer to launch.
First EVs announced eligible for grants
At last – First 6 car announced that qualify for the mighty complex EV grant scheme. None get the full £3,750 treatment. As we mentioned recently the labour Government has announced an EV grant scheme to try and push EV uptake after sales plateau. In a scheme that could only be devised by a committee
