Mission E
A sports car that covers over 500 kilometers with superb performance—but without a drop of gasoline? Welcome to the future: the
Mission: Performance
“Our core area of expertise lies in complex, efficient, and high-performance powertrains—just look at the 918 Spyder or 919 Hybrid.” (Stefan Weckbach,
It’s a sports car. There’s no doubt about that. But it’s not the sports car you might expect. Its powertrain is completely new, but, like that of every
Mission: Driving pleasure
“The dynamics of driving straight ahead are simple. To appreciate the essence of the sports car concept, look at the curves.” (Stefan Weckbach)
There’s nothing terribly special about driving very fast in a straight line. What a
Mission: Everyday practicality
“Fifteen minutes is an acceptable amount of charging time. And with 800 volts, it’s also feasible.” (Stefan Weckbach)
Charging time and the range of a car are key topics in electromobility.
Mission:
“The designers’ dream is for the
Thrillingly different yet reassuringly familiar—that is precisely what the car should look like. Every millimeter and every radius should trigger the feeling and the thought that “this can only be a
And then there are the evident innovations such as the integrated aerodynamics. Distinctive air intakes and outlets on the front, sides, and rear showcase the body’s comprehensive flow-through design. After all, even an electric car needs intelligent cooling for its motors, battery, and electronics. Integrated channels enhance the air flow around its wheels, while outlets on the sides play their part in helping to reduce excess pressure in the wheel arches and thus the risk of lift. Once again, form follows function—a principle with a long tradition at
The classic elements of the
And now for the thrilling part. Innovative matrix LED headlights with the brand’s characteristic four-point design hover within the air intakes. The four points surround a flat sensor used for driver assistance systems, with a border that serves as a turn signal. The flow of surfaces is not disturbed by side mirrors; instead, cameras are mounted discreetly on the sides. The future beckons. Even the handles on the rear-hinged doors are seamlessly integrated into the outer shell. A continuous arc of red light connects the broad rear fenders, with a back-lit
Mission: Cockpit
“The concept for the controls is a good indication of how
To cut to the chase: the driver will continue to be
The dashboard is brimming with new ideas as well. Based on the cockpit design of the very first 911, a broad holographic display can be activated with a wave of the hand. The driver or front passenger can then operate the radio, navigation system, climate control, phone, and individual apps in touch-free form. Intuitive gestures, detected by sensors, do the trick. The
Excellent prospects indeed—and a mission that could not be any more fascinating.
By Peter Weidenhammer