Porsche Mission S Concept: Mid-Engine Supercar Above 911

Porsche has revealed the Mission S concept, a mid-engine show car that the company says sketches out a future supercar positioned above the legendary 911. The Mission S introduces a new mid-engine architecture and a forward-looking design language that could form the basis for a permanent supercar in Stuttgart's lineup.

Design, packaging and interior

The bodywork draws explicit inspiration from iconic Porsche models such as the 911, 959, 917 and 911 GT1. At the rear a layered structure surrounds the engine bay, and an active aerodynamic wing is mounted on that structure. The term mid-engine refers to a layout in which the power unit sits behind the occupants but ahead of the rear axle, which manufacturers typically use to improve weight distribution and handling balance.

Inside, Porsche rejects the trend for large passenger displays and central touchscreens. Designers fitted five circular analogue gauges behind the steering wheel and substituted a conventional navigation screen with a smartphone holder compatible with Apple MagSafe, using the phone for route guidance and infotainment functions.

Michael Leiters, Porsche CEO, said: "The aim of the Mission S was that, at first glance, it would be recognised as a Porsche."

Porsche has said final models based on the mid-engine architecture will not be electric. The automaker has not released technical specifications, production timing or pricing for the Mission S project. Porsche characterises the effort as part of a long-term strategy to continue developing gasoline flagship models.