Porsche commemorates the 30th anniversary of the Goodwood Festival of Speed with the introduction of the Vision 357 Speedster. This open electric sports car serves as the sister model to the closed Vision 357, which kick-started Porsche’s 75th anniversary celebrations.
The name “357” pays homage to the iconic Porsche 356, the brand’s inaugural model series that obtained its operating license in the summer of 1948. While the Vision 357 aims to honor its predecessor, it embraces an electric powertrain.
Underpinning the Vision 357 Speedster is the technology borrowed from the Porsche 718 GT4 e-Performance. The electric motor and battery system are derived from the Mission R, while the chassis draws inspiration from the 718 GT4 Clubsport. Detailed technical specifications for the two 357 concept cars remain undisclosed. However, the technology donor, the 718 GT4 e-Performance, boasts an electric all-wheel drive with a peak output of up to 800 kW generated by a permanently excited synchronous machine (PSM) per axle. The 80 kWh battery operates at a system voltage of 900 volts and supports rapid charging from 5 to 80 percent state of charge (SoC) in approximately 15 minutes.
Regarding its design, the Vision 357 Speedster showcases the characteristic “speedster” elements, including a low, truncated windscreen that accentuates the monolithic body, as stated by Porsche in the press release. The concept lacks a roof, with only a thin fabric soft top available that requires manual installation. Drawing inspiration from previous open-top sports cars, Porsche replaces the passenger seat with a tonneau cover, a tarpaulin that stretches over the vacant area. Furthermore, the study features a roll bar behind the driver’s seat and does not accommodate a passenger seat.
“The Porsche Vision 357 pays tribute to Ferry Porsche’s dream sports car, the first Porsche model line. With the 356 being remembered as both a convertible and a coupĆ©, the same principle applies to this concept carāthere can only be two,” remarks Michael Mauer, Head of Style Porsche. “The Porsche Vision 357 Speedster embodies the essence of the brand: a combination of driving pleasure, driving dynamics, and an extremely purist form. Similar to our recent Mission X concept, this model showcases the enduring presence of Porsche DNA even with fresh design genes.”
Earlier in June, Porsche introduced the Mission X, an all-electric hypercar concept. The two-seater, featuring gullwing doors, is speculated to go beyond the realm of a design study and potentially enter series production (albeit in a modified form) as the successor to the 918 Spyder hybrid hypercar.
