Neil Briscoe
Porsche has confirmed what we all pretty much assumed as soon as the covers were taken off at September's Frankfurt motor show - that the Mission-E electric concept saloon will go into production. In the words of Dr Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board, Porsche is thus "beginning a new chapter in the history of the sports car" and expects to have a production version of the Mission-E on sale by the end of the decade.
The move is part of a two-pronged move on Porsche’s part. Mission-E development will be combined with a massive €700 million investment in Porsche’s home factory in Zuffenhausen, just outside Stuttgart. Porsche will hire 1,000 new staff and over the next few years, a new paint shop and a new assembly plant will be built. The existing engine factory is also being expanded for the production of electric motors. In addition, the existing body shop is being enlarged.
Beyond those expansion plans, the move is also part of the Volkswagen Group's promise to expand its research and development of electric and hybrid vehicles. Made in the wake of the shocking 'dieselgate' revelations, the ambitious plan also includes an all-electric Audi SUV, an all-electric successor to the Phaeton luxury saloon as well as next-generation developments of the electric e-Golf and plugin GTE models, as well as the Audi e-Tron range.
The Mission-E is potentially the most exciting of these developments though. It’s powered by an all-electric 600hp drivetrain, which promises serious performance - 0-100kmh in just 3.5secs for a start. Porsche currently claims that the car can go for 500km between charges of its batteries, and that’s a figure which could potentially improve as development continues. Better still, Porsche claims it has designed an 800-volt charging system which can top up the batteries from empty to 80 per cent capacity in just 15-minutes, as well as a wireless induction-loop charging system.
Speaking at the announcement, Dr. Wolfgang Porsche, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Porsche, said "with Mission-E, we are making a clear statement about the future of the brand. Even in a greatly changing motoring world, Porsche will maintain its front-row position with this fascinating sports car."
Uwe Hück, Chairman of the Central Works Council and Deputy Chairman of the Porsche AG Supervisory Board was even more effusive, saying "a day to celebrate! Yes, we did it! We brought Mission E to Zuffenhausen and Weissach where the future has tradition. We will be taking new approaches but not giving up on the social aspects. With today's decision, Porsche is driving flat out with no speed restrictions into the automotive and industrial future."
