Porsche Mission S: The Mid-Engined Supercar that feels like the 918 successor.
Porsche's new concept points to a mid-engined supercar above the 911, with round dials and a real focus on the physical drive.
Every so often a car company shows you a concept and you can tell it is not just playing dress-up. The Porsche Mission S is one of those. It was revealed on 16th Oct 26 Australian time, and it is Porsche's first proper look at a mid-engined supercar that will sit above the 911. Not a one-off, not a limited run. A permanent member of the family.
What you are looking at
Put it next to a 911 and you will see the family resemblance straight away, its unmistakably Porsche: round headlights, those rounded front guards, a roofline you would recognise from across a car park. But it is lower, wider and a lot more dramatic. The engine sits behind the driver, which gives the body that long, swooping shape out the back.
What I love is how much history is hiding in there. Porsche says the flat, low nose nods to its old Le Mans racers, the active rear wing has a bit of the 959 supercar in it, and the wheels borrow from the 928. There is even a little cooling fan on top of the engine bay, a wink to the 917 race cars of the 1970s. It is a greatest-hits album, but in typical Porsche knowhow it it still looks new.
The cabin is where it gets interesting
Here is the part that will start arguments at the pub. There is no big touchscreen in the middle of the dash. None. There is not one for the passenger either.
Instead you get a row of round dials behind the steering wheel, with a proper needle for the revs in the middle, much like the Porsches your dad lusted after. Switches push and pull rather than hide in a menu. And when you want maps or music, a little retractable holder pops out for your phone, and your phone becomes the screen.
I think that is a smart, slightly cheeky move. Most of us already trust our phones more than any carmaker's software, and anyone who has fought a laggy infotainment system will get the appeal. The dials shuffle depending on the drive mode selected, so the rev counter comes a little closer to you when things get serious. It feels like a car designed for someone who actually likes driving it, which is refreshing given the push in recent years towards autonomous solutions.
What comes next
Although it feels like a glimpse of things to come, this is a concept car, so the finished car is still being kept under wraps, including what it will cost and when you might need to start having a chat with the bank manager.
There is plenty of chatter online about what might be under the cover, but until Porsche says it out loud, its all speculation. The only certain thing is the mid-engine layout and the promise that this car is coming in some form.
Why it matters
For years the story at Porsche has been the 911 and then everything else. A permanent supercar above it changes the shape of the whole range, and it suggests the brand wants to be loved for how its cars feel as much as for what they can do on a spec sheet. The real message here is that Porsche is happy to be a little old school and a little bold, and is bringing back the passion for driving all at the same time.
Will the production car keep the exposed fan and the no-screen dash? Nobody knows. That is half the fun of a concept, and it is why this one is worth keeping an eye on.
At a glance
- What it is: a concept Porsche calls a vision model, previewing a new supercar line
- Layout: mid-engine, with the engine behind the driver
- Where it sits: above the 911, as a permanent part of the lineup
- Cabin: round gauges, push-pull controls, no central or passenger touchscreen, retractable MagSafe phone holder
Verdict: The Porsche Mission S is a gorgeous promise rather than a product, and the best thing about it is how much it trusts the driver. As we find out more, we will be sure to follow up this story.
