Porsche Boss Confirms Multiple Mission E Variants
Over-the-air updates make upgrading the Mission E as simple as updating your computer’s software.
Despite some having mixed feelings toward electric vehicles, global demand for EVs is soaring. That has forced the hand of every automaker, sending them to the drawing board to develop various electric models. Like the Porsche Mission E, of course, born of a desire to compete with the likes of the Tesla Model S. And if the success of the Panamera E-Hybrid, which already accounts for nearly 60% of total Panamera sales is any indication, the Porsche Mission E will be in hot demand when it hits the market in 2020.
But don’t expect there to be only a “one size fits all” Mission E. It’s been rumored for some time that Porsche would offer several variants of the electric four-door sedan. But now it seems that Porsche boss Oliver Blume has confirmed it. In an interview with the U.K.’s Autocar, Blume said  “We will offer different levels of performance. There will be sporty, high-performance versions and a lower-powered one.”
“We will offer different levels of performance. There will be sporty, high-performance versions and a lower-powered one.”
The beauty of a car with state-of-the-art electronics like the Mission E is that completing upgrades is as simple software updates on a computer. Things like power outputs can be increased remotely. Porsche doesn’t intend to compensate for the inevitable loss of range with more battery packs, however. Taking priority is the car’s rapid-charging system, which enables the Mission E to recharge 80% of the battery in only 15 minutes. So long as total range hits the current target of 310 miles, Porsche will be happy.
The real beauty of a car like the Mission E is that Porsche has designed it from day one to be a fully electric vehicle. According to Autocar, Porsche has no plans to produce an all-electric 911. Converting it to such would simply require too many compromises to the current design. The Mission E, on the other hand, carries no such compromises.
“The Mission E is the sweet spot of sports car performance that, size-wise, provides enough space for significant battery packages,” said Porsche R&D boss Michael Steiner. From the sounds of things, it appears that Porsche has once again harnessed the power of electricity in a way sure to please enthusiasts. As it always has.
