The Porsche Mission R Is A Look At Future Racing

Introduced at the IAA MOBILITY 2021 in Munich (happening now until 12 September) is the Porsche Mission R concept. This is Porsche’s look into the automotive future. The Mission R concept racing car that combines state-of-the-art technologies with sustainable materials such as natural fibre-reinforced plastics, and with a passion for racing.

Like the Mission E which gave rise to the Porsche Taycan, the Mission R is its latest all-electric concept. In addition to a progressive design, the extremely low-slung competition car features the characteristic lines of  sports cars from Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen. Providing power are 2 newly developed electric motors that can deliver up to 800 kW (1,088 PS) when in “qualifying” mode. Its battery capacity of about 80 kWh, with an innovative recuperation system, help to make sprint racing possible with no loss of output. “Porsche is the brand for people who fulfil their dreams. This is also true in motorsports. We experience our innovative strength on the race track, demonstrate courage in pursuing new avenues and delight car owners with sporting performance,” said Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche AG.

“In addition to our involvement in the Formula E World Championship, we are now taking the next big step forward in electric mobility. The concept study is our vision of all-electric customer motorsports. The Mission R embodies everything that makes Porsche strong: performance, design and sustainability”.

Customer motorsports are important for Porsche. From the start of the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland 31 years ago, the sports car manufacturer has produced and delivered more than 4,400 Cup cars from Weissach. A total of 30 one-make cup series are held worldwide on the basis of these reliable, high-performance racing cars. The latest version of the 911 GT3 Cup, based on the 992 model generation, was not launched until the start of this year’s 2021 motorsport season. Thus, the Mission R gives a glimpse of what the future of one-make series using all-electric cars could look like.

In “qualifying” mode, this all-wheel drive race car is capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 2.5 seconds. With a rated top speed of over 300 km/h, the electric racer can achieve the same lap time as the current 911 GT3 Cup. This level of performance is a product of the newly designed electric motors and battery cells – all equipped with innovative direct oil cooling. In “race” mode, the Mission R concept can produce a constant power output of 500 kW (680 PS). An electric motor with up to 320 kW (435 PS) powers the front axle, while a maximum of 480 kW (653 PS) is delivered to the rear. Further, the so-called derating i.e. reduction of the battery‘s power output due to thermal conditions, has been eliminated.

Thanks to advanced 900-volt technology and Porsche Turbo Charging, the car just needs a 15-minute break from racing to get the battery charge from 5% to 80% SoC (state of charge). Charging capability can be up to 340 kW.

The Mission R also features a further development of Porsche Active Aerodynamics (PAA) with Drag Reduction System (DRS) on the nose section and rear wing. It consists of 3 louvres in each of the side air intakes on the nose section, as well as an adjustable two-section rear wing.

In addition to the innovative battery-electric drive concept, the body of the concept car also focuses on CO2 reduction and sustainability. It is primarily made of natural fibre reinforced plastic (NFRP), derived from flax fibres obtained from farming. This ecological material is also used for the front spoiler lip, diffuser and side skirts. NFRP is also used extensively in the Mission R interior such as the interior door panels, the rear bulkhead and the seat.

The driver-centric interior design puts a display strategically between the steering wheel controls to show relevant data during the race. Further, the monitor above the steering column displays the views from the side mirror cameras and the central rear-view mirror camera. A touch display to the right of the seat can be used to call up the driver’s biometric data. The car also has numerous other cameras in the interior to provide exciting sequences for a live stream transmission.

The safety structure of the car is made of carbon fibre composite material which combines high protection potential for the driver with low weight and a distinctive look. Porsche engineers and designers have named the newly developed carbon roof structure the “exoskeleton”. It combines safety cage and roof skin. At 4,326 mm in length, the Porsche Mission R is slightly shorter than the current 718 Cayman series. However, it is noticeably wider at 1,990 mm but with an external height of 1,190 mm, is significantly lower. The Mission R project also enables Porsche to bring real and virtual racing closer together than ever before. The monocoque driver’s module in exactly the same form also doubles as an esports simulator.

Over last few years, with the Mission E (2015) and Mission E Cross Turismo (2018) concept studies, Porsche has given unmistakable previews of its first all-electric sports car model series to come. The Porsche Taycan sports saloon (2019) and the Taycan Cross Turismo cross-utility vehicle (2021) closely resemble the 2 concept studies in terms of appearance and technology, and have already been successfully launched in multiple markets – mission accomplished, in other words. With the Mission R, Porsche is presenting its vision of what customer motorsports will look like in the future.

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