Can Porsche beat Tesla with the production Mission E?
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Can Porsche beat Tesla with the production Mission E?

By DanGoAuto - 19 January 2016

EVEN as a nation of petrol heads, we all know that finding an alternative to squeezing a mixture of hydrocarbons and air in a cylinder and then setting fire to it as a method of getting around, isn’t such a bad idea.

After all, if those who see the car as a necessary evil are offered a mode of transport that doesn’t depend on fossil fuels, then that leaves what petrol we have left to run our beloved and historically important vehicles right? Perfect.

The Mission E can take an 80 per cent charge in just 15 minutes thanks to a beefy 800-volt charging system.

But for that state of equilibrium to occur, we need to find the perfect alternative energy vehicle and, while many remarkable technologies are being developed only the battery electric vehicle seems to be making any commercial headway.

Californian technology startup Tesla has done a sterling job designing a truly outstanding vehicle with the Model S, which has a long range, is insanely fast, doesn't take long to charge and can carry five people and lots of luggage in comfort, but for electric cars to really take off, the Tesla needs one more thing; competition.

Porsche stole the show at Frankfurt in 2015 with a concept that looked as incredible as the technology it housed, but a production version is coming.

While Tesla’s sales steadily grew momentum around the world thanks to green incentives and its no-compromise products, German high-performance car authority Porsche was quietly watching from the wings and planning a counter move.

When the Mission E concept was given a surprise unveiling at the Frankfurt motor show last year, its audience swooned at the jaw-dropping four-door and four-seat super-sedan styling, but under its divine looks lay a drivetrain that was just as game-changing.

And now the car-maker has confirmed a production version will arrive before the end of the decade.

With a pure electric drivetrain and real-world usable range, the Porsche Mission E looks set to shake up the emerging EV industry.

No technical details have been revealed, nor has a suggestion of how similar the showroom version will look when compared with the Frankfurt show car, but if it is only half as good as the Mission E concept, Tesla should be worried.

Performance, range and packaging appear to be a direct shot across Tesla’s bow, with the Mission E promising zero to 100km/h acceleration of less than 3.5 seconds, 440kW of instantaneous power, four doors and four seats.

It has supercar pace and room for four, prompting many to ask why the Panamera didn't look as good. Perhaps the Mission E will replace it?

The German car-maker also says the sports sedan will go 500km before needing a recharge - about 100km further than the Tesla Model S - while an 800-volt fast charger can pump an 80 per cent charge into the lithium-ion battery in just 15 minutes.

Those statistics shave critical minutes from the Tesla's best efforts of a half charge in 20 minutes, which requires one of the company's spreading specialised Supercharge points. Porsche says the vehicle will also have a wireless charging option with induction loop technology available for installation in an owner's garage.

The rear wrap-around light cluster is reminiscent of the 1970s Porsche 912, while its massive white-rim wheels with black spokes hark back to numerous tuned up and RS models through the ages.

But gearing up to build what might be the world’s most accomplished EV takes more than a quick whip round with a mop and buying a new set of spanners. To build the Mission E, Porsche is spending big; a billion dollars to be precise.

That cash will go into a massive upgrade of the company’s main facility in Stuttgart and in addition to significant paint shop refit and other modernisations, a majority of the budget will be used to update the engine production facility with capacity for electric drive motors.

A network of fast chargers combined with rapid home charging with wireless technology will create a very tempting alternative to Tesla's excellent Model S range.

We challenge you to behold the Mission E and not feel some deep car-loving passion stir in your loins because it is not only unique, but also overflowing with quintessential Porsche panache, which has prompted many to ask why the controversially styled Panamera didn’t look as good.

Panamera hybrid

That car gave a glimpse into Porsche’s alternative energy future when it was rolled out as a plug-in hybrid variant, as was the Cayenne large SUV, but the Mission E is the company’s debut in pure plug-in EV territory.

Porsche also pulled out the big hybrid guns with its 918, which took the supercar fight to McLaren’s P1 and the LaFerrari. After demolishing Nurburgring records, the 918 proved that fuel efficiency and alternative energy don’t have to be conservative.

Porsche has already proved it can turn its hand to amps and crocodile clips with its 918 Spyder hybrid that lapped the Nurburgring in a lightning six minutes and 57 seconds.

"With Mission E, we are making a clear statement about the future of the brand," said Porsche AG chairman of the supervisory board, Wolfgang Porsche. "Even in a greatly changing motoring world, Porsche will maintain its front-row position with this fascinating sportscar."

Second row passengers are afforded the same luxury and support with the pair of front row skeletal racing seats mirrored in the back.

Car companies often get excited about new model projects, and occasionally create more hype and spin than is perhaps warranted, but when Porsche says its first all-electric sportscar will be the "beginning of a new chapter in the history of the sportscar," we cant help but think they are serious.

Can established and widely loved sportscar-maker Porsche topple Tesla from its spot at the top of the EV hierarchy, or is the Californian startup already too far ahead in the battery electric battle?

Daniel Gardner GoAuto.com.au

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