Porsche 911 E to Mission E: E Is for Efficient
Porsche is synonymous with speed and engineering, but they've also had an eye on efficiency for many years now.
Performance and Efficiency?
When you think of Porsche vehicles, efficiency likely isn't the first thing that comes to mind. After all, these are high-performance machines, built to dominate the track with a highly-engineered combination of speed and lightness. But Porsche would like to remind you that it's also been focused on efficiency for the better part of 50 years, too.
Photos: Porsche
Evolutionary Products
You could argue that efficiency was a focus from day one with the lightweight and modestly powered 356. But Porsche reckons that the 1968 911 E marked the beginning of this particular revolution. And they draw a straight line between it and the Mission E concept, as different as they may be.
Photos: Porsche
Triple Threat
The 911 E replaced the 911 L, bringing with it a new mechanical Bosch intake manifold injection system that increased horsepower by 10. Combined with the lightweight chassis, that also helped improve handling, fuel economy, and performance, all at the same time.
Photos: Porsche
Power and Space
Porsche argues that this same concept applied when it was developing the Mission E, which inspired the production Taycan. Combining efficient power with space, and using the very latest technologies available to accomplish that goal.
Photos: Porsche
Exercise in Simplicity
This, despite the obvious differences between the two. Porsche is quick to acknowledge that the 911 E is an exercise in simplicity. But a good one, at that. "When you’re driving one of these, you wonder why anyone would actually need more from a car than this," they say. "And what for?"
Photos: Porsche
Short Shelf Life?
On the other hand, the Mission E concept is ripe with technology, from its all-wheel drive system to its high tech display. Many fear that all of these electronics will ruin the possibility that the Taycan can join its predecessors as a celebrated classic, but Porsche sees it differently.
Photos: Porsche
Future Classic
"But even today, Porsche Classic is producing spare parts using additive manufacturing processes – effectively 3D printing," Porsche says. "For example, for the Porsche 959. This is how the Taycan will one day also join the ranks of the vintage cars. You can replace its batteries, and the days of circuit boards that break down are over."
Photos: Porsche
Predicting the Future
Whether or not the Taycan will one day be considered a classic in the same sense as the early Porsche 911, we won't know for some time. But the lineage and DNA is most certainly there to make it happen.
Photos: Porsche
For help with keeping your Porsche in racing, trim see the how-to sections of RennList.com.