Mission R's Innovative Technology Takes Center Stage

Massive Power Made Readily Available

Not much is known about the new Mission R. Obviously, it's an electric racer with Caymanish proportions and two motors making serious grunt. As we've learned, it's capable of Porsche Cup-rivaling speeds, though its powerplant promises wilder qualifying performances.

In qualifying mode, the twin-motor configuration produces more than 1,073 hp (800 kW), though that output is cut by a third in race trim. The continuous system power in race mode is 671 hp (500 kW). The top track speed is more than 186 mph. The lightweight electric racing car, which weighs in at 3,307 pounds, possesses a power-to-weight ratio like a GT3 Cup and, thanks largely to its torque and traction, accelerates even faster. In this case, the Mission R sprints from 0 to 60 mph in less than 2.5 seconds.

Synthetic Fibers for Strength and Weight Reduction

So much of this car's makeup has been built with the environment in mind. Composed largely from natural fiber reinforced plastic (NFRP), the Mission R chassis is green. These fibers are agriculturally produced flax fibers without interfering with the cultivation of food crops. 

Roughly as light and strong as carbon fibers and deliver the stiffness required for semi-structural components with a low additional weight of less than 10 percent. That's why it's been used to craft so much of the exterior, including the front splitter and the large diffuser which are left unpainted so that the natural fibers are visible. This material is also utilized for the front spoiler lip, the diffuser, and the side skirts. NFRP is used extensively in the interior of the Mission R, such as the interior door panels, the rear bulkhead, and the seat. 

>>Join the conversation about the Mission R concept right here in the Rennlist forum.

Serious Power Without Fade

This is no flimsy prototype with excessive demands placed upon the user. Due to 900-volt technology and Porsche Turbo Charging, only 15 minutes are needed to bring the battery to a state of charge of 5 to 80 percent. Adding to its usability, the power output doesn't fade, so there is no thermally induced de-rating. This stamina comes as a result of the direct oil cooling: a major advantage of the electric motors developed by Porsche. 

Better than that peak power figure, the battery's capacity of around 80 kWh and its innovative recuperation system make sprint racing possible with no loss of output. This sort of stamina represents a huge step forward for electric racing. 

>>Join the conversation about the Mission R concept right here in the Rennlist forum.

Compact and Cool

Keeping this engine working well under duress can be attributed largely to one thing: the direct oil cooling of the stator, which enables very high peak and continuous power output levels to be achieved—in addition to delivering a very high level of efficiency.

While in conventional electrical machines the cooling fluid flows through a jacket outside the stator, direct cooling pushes the oil directly along the copper windings. This allows more heat to be dissipated directly at the source. This design also allows for the slots in the stator to be made smaller, which leads to greater efficiency in real driving cycles. Additionally, an innovative stator seal is used to prevent the coolant from entering the rotor chamber.

As with the Taycan's electric motors, the hairpin winding contributes to a high yield of power and torque while maintaining compact dimensions. The coils consist of rectangular wires that are bent and then inserted into the stator's laminated core. Their shape is reminiscent of hairpins, hence the name. 

>>Join the conversation about the Mission R concept right here in the Rennlist forum.

Safe and Sleek

Powerful and reasonably heavy for a racing car, an innovative, lightweight rollcage design was needed to make this beauty safe for motorsport. Thankfully, this carbon fiber composite safety structure adds to the futuristic, sleek styling of the Mission R as well. 

Porsche engineers and designers have named the newly developed carbon roof structure the "exoskeleton," which combines the safety cage and lightweight roof skin. Weight is kept low, and the overall roofline of the Mission R is shorter than a 718 Cayman's despite having a relatively spacious cabin for a racing car.  

>>Join the conversation about the Mission R concept right here in the Rennlist forum.

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