Porsche has cracked open its secret vaults for a new book on some incredible concept cars that never made it to a motor show.
Called Unseen, the book reveals 15 jaw-dropping design studies created between 2005 and 2019, and uses sketches together with pictures of the cars during development to take the reader on a journey from the first seed of an idea right through to the finished concept.
Scroll down to see three of the cars detailed in the book.
Porsche 919 Street (2017)
Porsche’s 919 LMP1 racer used its 888bhp hybrid powertrain and slippery carbon body to dominate endurance racing in the late 2010s, but what would have looked like as a road car?
The 919 Street answers that question, and is sure to have rich hypercar fans thrusting blank cheques in Porsche’s direction. It keeps the racing car’s carbon chassis and electrically-assisted V4 engine, but the rear central fin shrinks, and the rear wings sprout a pair of fins that wouldn't look out of place on a 1950s Caddy.
Porsche Vision Spyder (2019)
The Vision Spyder is clearly a nod to the mid-engined Porsche 550 Spyder of the 1950s, a hugely successful competition car and, sadly, probably most famous as the car James Dean was driving when he died.
But it’s not all retro: Porsche says the study was used to help develop ideas for future models, citing the modern roll bar as an example.
Porsche Vision 'Rendienst' (2018)
A Porsche MPV? Well, 20 years ago the idea of a Porsche SUV seemed ridiculous and now they’re the backbone of the company, so why not, particularly when it looks this good.
The Renndienst is all-electric monospace vehicle with seating for six, a modular interior and a centrally mounted driver’s seat. It also bears more than a passing resemblance to the old air-cooled VW van Porsche’s racing team used back in the 1950s.
Sadly, none of these cars made it to production, but Porsche’s design boss, Michael Mauer says that doesn’t mean we won’t see some of the ideas on future road-going Porsche cars
If you’re interested to find out more, Porsche Unseen is published by Delius Klasing Verlag. The ISBN number is 978-3-667-11980-3.
Keyword: Porsche reveals incredible unseen concept cars