Porsche Mission E Faces New Competition
BMW, Aston Martin emerge as serious new competitors as Porsche plans to get aggressive with unprecedented levels of EV production.
Despite canning the idea for a 911 hybrid last month, it appears the Porsche is dead serious about building EVs. At least it sounds that way after reading the interview Porsche CEO Oliver Blume recently conducted with German publication Manager Magazine. The surprisingly revealing discussion revolved around both the debut of the Mission E and Porsche’s plans for an electrified future.
That future apparently includes a goal of dedicating half of Porsche’s production to electric vehicles by 2023. To achieve that lofty number, the automaker must obviously add a more accessible EV to its current lineup – and fast. So sometime following the Mission E’s debut, Porsche plans to also offer an electric version of the best-selling Macan SUV.
The new timeline also falls right in line with previous reports that the Mission E would debut by 2020. Packing a combined 600 hp from a pair of electric motors and an estimated 3.5 second 0-60 time, the halo EV will do battle with the Tesla Model S P90D. With a claimed 310 mile range and superior charging technology, the Mission E will also charge to 80% in half the time of the Tesla.
Tesla is an obvious benchmark and competitive target for the Mission E. But it won’t be the only contender out there. We’ve previously focused on exciting concepts like the Lucid Air and Audi E-Tron, but as you would imagine, other major automakers aren’t exactly resting on their laurels. That includes BMW and Aston Martin, both of whom have new EVs in the works.
According to German news source Handelsblatt Global, BMW is planning to unveil an all-electric version of its venerable 3-Series at the Munich Auto Show this September. According to the article, this electrified 3-Series will sport a range of 248 miles (400 kilometers). The compact sports sedan is aimed squarely at the forthcoming Tesla Model 3, which packs 215 miles of range.
Pricing and other details are unknown at this time, but BMW could have a real contender on its hands. Considering the fact that the 3-Series bases out at $33,000, the automaker could easily trump the Model 3 and its base price of $35,000 in driving dynamics and value in addition to range.
The 3-Series EV obviously won’t be a direct competitor for the Mission E. But it would be logical to think that BMW might move to offer electric versions of its higher level offerings in the future. However, a more immediate concern for Porsche might be a Macan EV fighting electric BMW X3 compact crossover.
Porsche’s more immediate concern comes from the other side of the pond – from British automaker Aston Martin. Just last week, Aston announced that it would build its first all-electric model, the RapidE, in 2019.
The Rapide AMR concept-based EV is a premium, four-door range topper like the Mission E. Aston Martin thus far has failed to reveal any performance or range details. But it stands to reason that the RapidE will focus on luxury and performance. Just like every other Aston, and just like the Mission E. Aston plans to build just 155 examples of the RapidE, making it a premium but ice breaking model.
Clearly, Porsche will have its fair share of competition in the EV market. But the automaker is very much all-in on the electric future. And it stands to reason that they’ll easily transition the brand’s legendary driving dynamics to these new platforms. If Porsche can pull that off, and if the Mission E’s rumored specs and technology hold true in the production model, the competition should be afraid. Very afraid.
