Porsche Mission S Maps a Permanent Mid Engine Path Above the 911

Porsche chose a pier in Queens for the world premiere of its Mission S vision model yesterday, a spot that once framed the earliest photographs of the 550 Spyder back in 1953. That deliberate return to a mid-engine layout sets the tone for a new super sports car platform that will sit permanently above the 911 rather than appear as a limited-run hypercar. Dr. Michael Leiters, chairman of the executive board, described it as a permanent and versatile addition to the customer offering, one that gives a clear view of design features meant to shape the brand in the years ahead.

Torpedo fenders protrude from the nose, as they do on the 911, but the robust shape and flowing curves combine to give the design team what they describe ‘floating volumes,’ which are a departure from the 911. The line that wraps around the front and rear lights does a nice job of bringing everything together, but the shut lines blend into one with the graphic design to pay homage to the G model 911.

A flat front fascia inspired by the 911 GT1, as well as a roof that runs far back beneath an active wing that tucks neatly into the rear, give the car a 959-like appearance. The little cooling fan on the engine cover is a lovely touch that pays homage to the 917, and the wheels are influenced by the 928 dial design, since they’re all about being lightweight so they can really help out on the track. Furthermore, the Firn White Metallic, Light Red Metallic, and Black Chrome colors pay homage to Porsche’s motorsport past without becoming overly focused on any one reference.

Inside, the two continuous lines going through the dash and doors make you feel quite recessed; this is where the 550 Spyder and 356 design know-how come into play. Seats place the buckle in a central panel, and the adjustment controls are all conveniently located, ensuring that both comfort and track usefulness are considered. Behind the wheel is a 5-tube cluster with the analog tach needle stuck directly on top of the digital display. You can move the digital bits about depending on your driving mode, but the 8,000-rpm redline remains constant.

As expected, there’s a small key holder to the left of the steering wheel, followed by push-pull controls for comfort and driving functions, as well as a revised Sport Chrono feature that combines analog style with some good digital precision. Then there’s the retractable smartphone mount that supports MagSafe, which you might find in a higher-end car nowadays, and the MyPorsche app even displays some historically themed instruments on the circular dials. Don’t anticipate a fixed center or passenger screen to clutter up the dash.

Underneath it all is a mid-engined, moderately adaptable platform that can take a standard petrol engine, a conventional hybrid, or a plug-in hybrid, and even has room for three pedals if desired, but Leiter has no all-electric plans, claiming that people aren’t interested in all-electric cars in this segment. The architecture draws on existing Porsche engineering while remaining exclusive to the brand, and an “on your own” control can disable electronic aids when the driver prefers. Specific output, acceleration, and top-speed figures have not been released for the vision model, yet the car is positioned as more powerful and more expensive than any 911 while remaining available on an ongoing basis rather than as a short series.

This approach differs significantly from the 918 Spyder, which debuted as a low-volume hypercar before quietly disappearing in 2015. Mission S, on the other hand, appears to be a long-term member of Porsche’s lineup, and it has the potential to spawn a number of variants, including a coupe, a roadster, and possibly other derivatives, all based on the same mid-mounted engine configuration.