Porsche has revealed a surprise new EV concept at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt, Germany.
What is it?
The Mission E is a four-door sports car with a 440kW power output and a 500km driving range that is capable of 0-100km/h in less than 3.5 seconds and a top speed of more than 155mph.
Porsche says that the impressive performance figures and range are thanks to two permanent magnet synchronous motors at either end of the car, simulating four wheel drive, that operate at 800V, double the 400V of most EVs.
What’s innovative about this Porsche?
The uprated system means that the Mission E can be charged through its 800V port to 80% of capacity, or 400km of extra range, within 15 minutes, a new setup the company has called ‘Porsche Turbo Charging’.
There are no publicly available charging points that can manage up to 300kW of power at 800V, however Tesla’s superchargers will manage about 120kW. If Porsche wants to put this car into production, it will need to have some infrastructure ideas in the pipeline.
The Mission E can also be charged more slowly at a standard 400V station or via an induction charging system. Battery power comes courtesy of a lithium ion system mounted in the underbody of the car between the two axles, which makes for a low centre of gravity and a 2,000kg overall weight for the concept car.
Is the Mission E production ready?
Charging infrastructure problems aside, the batteries have been sourced from within the Volkswagen Group, but Porsche has developed the motors and other electronics in-house.
The company says that it can have the technology into production by 2019, and aims to have a car very similar to the Mission E on sale as the first all-electric Porsche by then.
September 22, 2015
