By Xolile Hopa

Porsche has revealed the Mission S, a show car that previews the look of future Porsches and confirms the brand is planning a permanent mid-engined super sports car to sit above the 911.

The car made its debut on a pier in Queens with the Manhattan skyline behind it. The same spot where the first pictures of the mid-engined 550 Spyder were taken in 1953. Those images went around the world and helped build Porsche’s reputation in the United States. The company says the location underlines how much its history shapes its future.

Porsche says the Mission S is not a one-off. “It represents a mid-engined super sports car platform positioned above the 911 – not as a one-off hypercar, but as a permanent and versatile addition to our customer offering,” said Dr Michael Leiters, Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche AG.

Design

The Mission S mixes old and new. It has torpedo fenders, a low, wide stance and a wraparound line linking the front and rear lights. Designers borrowed from several classics. The round headlights come from the 911 while the flat nose and rear design are taken from the GT1. The roofline running under the rear wing is a nod to the 959 and the lightweight wheels are based on the 928.

The engine sits in the middle of the car and the rear wing is built in and moves.

Interior

Inside, Porsche has dropped the big central screen. Drivers can instead clip their own smartphone into a retractable holder for navigation. The My Porsche App handles other functions.

Behind the steering wheel are five round gauges with an analogue rev counter in the centre. Physical switches and buttons stay. The car is finished in white, grey and red inspired by Porsche’s racing history.

What’s next

Porsche has not shared any engine or performance details. It has confirmed that for the first time. It plans a permanent super sports car above the 911.