Porsche provides a spectacular look into the automotive future. The Mission R concept car combines state-of-the-art technologies and sustainable materials, such as natural fibre-reinforced plastics, with a passion for racing. In addition to a progressive design, the extremely low-slung, all-electric competition car features the characteristic lines of the sports cars from Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen. The two newly developed electric motors incorporated in the Porsche Mission R deliver up to 800 kW (1,088 PS) in so-called qualifying mode. The battery capacity of around 80 kWh and the innovative recuperation system make sprint racing possible with no loss of output.

"Porsche is the brand for people who fulfil their dreams. This is also true in motorsports. We experience our innovative strength on the race track, demonstrate courage in pursuing new avenues and delight car owners with sporting performance," says Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche AG. "In addition to our involvement in the Formula E World Championship, we are now taking the next big step forward in electric mobility. The concept study is our vision of all-electric customer motorsports. The Mission R embodies everything that makes Porsche strong: performance, design and sustainability."

Since the start of the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland 31 years ago, the sports car manufacturer has produced and delivered more than 4,400 Cup cars from Weissach. A total of 30 one-make cup series are held worldwide on the basis of these reliable, high-performance racing cars. The latest version of the 911 GT3 Cup was not launched until the start of this year's 2021 motorsport season and is based on the 992 model generation. The Porsche Mission R provides an indication of what the future of one-make series with all-electric cars could look like.

The all-wheel drive car delivering just under 1,100 PS in qualifying mode accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in less than 2.5 seconds. Top speed: over 300 km/h. On the race track, the electric racer achieves the same lap time performance as the current Porsche 911 GT3 Cup. Thanks to newly designed electric motors and battery cells – all equipped with innovative direct oil cooling – the Porsche Mission R concept study produces a constant power output of 500 kW (680 PS) in race mode. So-called derating, i.e. reduction of the battery‘s power output due to thermal conditions, has been eliminated.

Natural fibre components and carbon cage

The Mission R is the latest vision from Porsche. With this study of an all-electric GT racing car, the pioneer of sustainable mobility is revealing what customer motorsports could look like in the future. A look at the body and chassis.

Many of the Mission R's add-on parts are made of natural fibre reinforced plastic (NFRP), the basis of which is a material made from agriculturally produced flax fibres. Producing this renewable fibre creates 85 per cent less CO2 than is the case with carbon fibre. The natural fibre material can be seen on the car’s exterior, such as the front splitter, the side skirts and the diffuser.

The electric racing car also has a new roll-over protection concept: instead of a conventional steel cell welded to the bodyshell, in this case a cage structure made of carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) protects the driver. The carbon cage is integrated directly into the roof and is visible from the outside via transparent segments. This enables those racing the car to enjoy a new feeling of generous space.

Sustainable natural fibre-reinforced plastic

On the exterior, the Mission R's doors, front and rear wings, sills/side panels and rear centre section are made of NFRP. The sustainable materials are based on agriculturally produced flax fibres – without interfering with the cultivation of food crops. The natural fibres are roughly as light as carbon fibres and deliver the stiffness required for semi-structural components with a low additional weight of less than 10 per cent. Compared with conventional plastics, natural fibres have an ecological benefit: 85 per cent less CO2 is generated in their production than in the comparable process used for carbon fibres.

A collaboration between Porsche, the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL), the Fraunhofer WKI and Swiss-based Bcomp began back in 2016, with the aim of making biofibre composite material suitable for automotive use. At the beginning of 2019, the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport was the first series-produced racing car to feature biofibre composite body panels.

Innovative cage structure made of carbon fibre composite material

The ‘exoskeleton’ is the name Porsche’s engineers and designers have given to the eye-catching carbon cage of the Mission R. The carbon fibre composite cage structure combines high protection potential for the driver with low weight and a distinctive look.

The protective structure forms the roof section and is visible from the outside. Like a half-timbered construction, it provides a framework around six transparent segments made of polycarbonate. This enables those racing the car to enjoy a new feeling of generous space. There are also some transparent surfaces, including a removable escape hatch for the driver, which is based on the FIA requirements for racing vehicles used in international competition. The roof solution with the exoskeleton is a modern interpretation of the Porsche Targa, in which the solid roll bar is also combined with a removable roof section.

Aerodynamics designed for maximum downforce

With its advanced Porsche Active Aerodynamics (PAA), the Mission R can adapt its aerodynamic characteristics optimally to what the driver is doing on the race track. Its DRS (Drag Reduction System) comprises three louvres in the air intakes on each side of the nose section as well as an adjustable, two-section spoiler. For maximum downforce, the louvres are closed and the spoiler is deployed to its steepest position. To deflect as much air as possible in a race, the wheel arches are vented via openings at the top of each front panel. Furthermore, the front wheels are almost completely free in the rear area.

Magnesium wheels with aeroblades and tyres

The Mission R rolls on 18-inch magnesium Cup centre lock wheels. With smooth-surfaced carbon aeroblades, the alloy wheels are also flow-optimised. Their five twin spokes are also milled, which saves weight.

Michelin, long-standing tyre partner of Porsche, has developed new slicks exclusively for the Mission R with a 30/68 (front) and 31/71 (rear) tyre format. They consist of bio-based and renewable materials, which means they are a key component with regard to the overall sustainable concept of the Mission R. The tyres also have a high resistance to wear and are protected against damage caused by deposits on the race track. The collaboration with Michelin also included networking with the vehicle: the tyres can be fitted with sensors that communicate with the on-board electronics during a race in real time and provide the driver with information relating to tyre wear. Based on this data, a time for the next pit stop will be suggested to the driver.

Michelin produces its tyres entirely from renewable raw materials. In line with the French company's holistic sustainability strategy, all Michelin tyres are manufactured in carbon-neutral plants and transported using a CO2-optimised logistics chain. At the end of their life cycle, the used tyres are recycled into new ones.

Brake-by-wire braking and power steering

With a double wishbone axle at the front and McPherson struts at the rear, the Mission R has independent suspension all round. Ball joints on all control arms ensure the chassis is connected to the suspension system with no play. Steel subframes also contribute to high-performance driving dynamics.

In the brake-by-wire braking system, a control unit models the interaction between the hydraulic and electric brakes, which is known as brake blending. Due to the high recuperation output of up to 800 kW, the conventional brakes are subjected to a significantly lower load and could thereby be reduced in size. The diameter of the brake discs is now 380 and 355 mm at the front and rear, respectively. Six-piston callipers are fitted at the front, four-piston at the rear. The car is started with a battery status of 85 per cent (SoC). Recuperation is possible therefore in almost every driving situation. This means that, depending on the race track, more than 50 per cent of the energy can be recovered and is available for use.

The steering is also electrified. With Electric Power Steering (EPS), a torque sensor receives the driver's intended directional change as a signal. On this basis, the control unit calculates the optimum steering assistance required. This information is passed on to an electric motor, which then provides the amount of power needed to complete the change in direction. The integrated air jack system facilitates quick tyre changes or repairs. The compressed air connections are located in the C-pillars.

Innovative e-motors, high-end battery and 900 volts

“It's indescribable; the immediate surge of power from the two electric motors is something you simply have to experience for yourself," says Timo Bernhard, discussing the drive system of the Mission R. The Porsche brand ambassador and former works driver knows the technical basis behind the concept study and has already been on the race track with the technology platform as a test driver. “The only time I've ever experienced such an amazingly powerful boost was in the Le Mans-winning Porsche 919 Hybrid car.”

The Mission R is on a par with the performance level of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup. The power output remains constant over the duration of the race, so there is no thermally induced de-rating – a major advantage of the electric motors with direct oil cooling developed by Porsche. The electric motor on the front axle produces up to 320 kW (435 PS) in race mode.

In qualifying mode, the all-wheel-drive car has a peak system output of more than 800 kW (1,088 PS). The continuous system power in race mode is 500 kW (680 PS). Top speed is more than 300 km/h. The lightweight electric racing car, which tips the scales at around 1,500 kg, accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in less than 2.5 seconds.

The capacity of the battery, which also incorporates high-end cells and direct oil cooling, is designed for sprint racing. Thanks to 900-volt technology and fast-charging capability, it is possible to charge the battery from five to 80 per cent SoC (State of Charge) in about 15 minutes during a break from racing. Another highlight is the very high recuperation output of up to 800 kW.

The power output from the two electric motors is transmitted to the front and rear wheels via straight-toothed input gearboxes and mechanical limited-slip differentials. The modular design of the drive system also helps to improve cost efficiency in customer motorsports: the gearbox, electric motors and pulse-controlled inverters (PCI) on the front and rear axles are identical.

The Mission R is pre-equipped for over-the-air technology. It is conceivable, therefore, that, in the event of problems occurring during the race, Porsche Motorsport experts from Weissach would be able to access data from the customer cars via a remote interface and then help with troubleshooting.

Highly efficient e-motors with direct oil cooling

In the Mission R, Porsche is offering a preview of the next generation of electric motors. In 2018, a team of Porsche engineers and technicians in Zuffenhausen and Weissach began to develop extremely powerful and highly efficient electric motors.

The most important innovation of these permanently excited synchronous machines (PESMs) is the direct oil cooling of the stator, which enables very high peak and continuous power output levels to be achieved, in addition to delivering a very high level of efficiency. While in conventional electrical machines the cooling fluid flows through a jacket outside the stator, in the case of direct cooling, the oil flows directly along the copper windings. This allows more heat to be dissipated directly at source. In addition, the slots in the stator can be made smaller, which leads to greater efficiency in real driving cycles. An innovative stator seal is used to prevent the coolant from entering the rotor chamber.

As with the Taycan's electric motors, the hairpin winding contributes to a high yield of power and torque while maintaining compact dimensions. The coils consist of rectangular wires that are bent and then inserted into the stator's laminated core. Their shape is reminiscent of hairpins, hence the name. The open ends are welded together by laser.

An optimisation algorithm was used to determine the optimum shape and position of the magnets in the rotor. The resulting geometry eliminates an old conflict of objectives: it combines excellent electromagnetic properties with high mechanical strength at very high speeds. During production, the magnets are inserted into the rotor laminations and extrusion-coated with plastic. As a result, they do not move, despite high centrifugal forces, and the balancing quality of the rotor remains stable. At the same time, the plastic helps to dissipate the heat generated in the magnets.

High-end battery and 900-volt technology

The battery sits behind the driver in an e-core layout. Its total capacity is 82 kWh. This means it is designed for a sprint race format distance of 25 to 40 minutes. High-end cells are used to benefit from the high power density. Here again, direct oil cooling offers tremendous thermal advantages – because it makes use of the entire surface of the cells, a large amount of heat can be transported from the battery into the cooling system.

Based on the 800-volt technology of the three-time Le Mans winner, the 919 Hybrid, the Porsche Taycan was the first car to enter production using this system voltage instead of the 400 volts normally used in electric cars. In the Mission R, Porsche is raising the bar a notch higher again with a voltage rating of more than 900 volts. Using 900-volt technology will result in further improvements in continuous power, weight and charging time. At DC fast charging stations, the Mission R can be charged from five to 80 per cent SoC (State of Charge) within approximately 15 minutes. The maximum charging capacity is 350 kW. The charge port is located beneath the middle of the spoiler.

Special high-voltage alert system for the pit crew

As a matter of principle, the high-voltage safety concept of the Mission R meets the same high standards of safety as those required for series production vehicles. This means that, in the event of a collision, the battery connections to the vehicle and the high-voltage consumers are automatically disconnected to ensure no voltage is present. There is also an alert system designed specifically for the pit crew: special LEDs behind the windscreen and on the roof provide fast and detailed information on the operating status of the high-voltage system. If the LEDs light up green, the Mission R is high-voltage safe. If the LEDs are red, on the other hand, only high-voltage trained personnel should approach the vehicle. There is also a light in the roof module behind the speed-measuring pitot tube, which is included in this colour-coded warning system.

Merging physical racing and esports

Physical racing and esports merge in the Mission R. This is due to its driver cell monocoque, which is designed as a self-contained module and can be used in exactly the same form outside the vehicle as a simulator. This allows the driver to prepare virtually for their next race in a familiar environment. And the racing drivers of tomorrow can also use the driver cell to take part in esports events.

The interactive possibilities offered by the Mission R are also aimed at a young and enthusiastic motorsports community. It is pre-equipped to provide a livestream broadcast from inside the car, and the driver can connect with their fans at the touch of a button. Fans can in turn communicate directly with the driver, for example by sending them likes in real time.

Particularly realistic race training on the simulator

The seat, steering wheel, controls, adjustable pedals and screens form a compact unit in the Mission R and lie on the same axis as the driver. This allows the driver to concentrate on essentials during the race.

At the same time, this driver module design enables a second driver's cell to be used outside the Mission R as a racing simulator. With the aid of movable, electrically controlled supports, the dynamic forces that impact on the driver can be simulated – when braking, for example, or as a result of rolling motions during fast cornering. Due to the familiar surroundings with identical display and control elements and the same full bucket seat, this kind of training can be extremely realistic and highly effective.

Ventilated full bucket seat, constructed by additive manufacturing

The full bucket seat offers high protection potential for the driver. At the same time, it has an innovative design and is produced in part using additive manufacturing processes as what is known as a 3D-printed bodyform full bucket seat. The seat shell is made of the same natural fibre-reinforced material as the add-on parts in the exterior. The centre section of the seat, i.e. the cushion and backrest, is partly produced by a 3D printer.

Porsche initially showed this alternative to the conventional upholstery used for bucket seats as a concept study in 2020 and conducted trials with selected customers during a test phase. As part of the new Performance Parts range, the 3D-printed bodyform full bucket seat is now available from Porsche Tequipment for all 911 and 718 models for which the current full bucket seat (order number Q1K) is offered. From February 2022, it will also be possible to order the seat ex-works, and it will then be integrated into the Porsche Car Configurator.

In the Mission R, the driver's seat is actively ventilated and upholstered in a breathable fabric that is made using a resource-saving 3D knitting process. The 3D-printed lattice structure also contributes to a good seat climate. These black, coarse-meshed elements are located, for example, in the area between the cushion and the backrest.

Staggered arrangement of displays based on importance

Maximum driver focus is the credo of the Mission R. The key displays and controls are located along the same axis. This reduces distraction and helps the driver to improve performance by speeding up their reaction time. The information is hierarchically clustered into three levels:

Top priority is given to the six-inch multifunction OLED racing display. It sits directly between the steering wheel controls and, as such, is placed in the driver's immediate field of vision. This is where key data such as speed, lap time, tyre pressures or State of Charge (SoC) are displayed. Information on ABS and traction control is also included.

A second screen is mounted on the steering column behind it. Its curved shape is reminiscent of the Taycan's large central display. This is where the images from the two exterior cameras are combined into a single image. Through this digital rear-view mirror, the driver can see what is happening on both sides and behind the racing car. A third, centrally positioned, rear-facing camera is mounted below the rear window. If radar sensors and cameras detect an imminent collision during the race, the Collision Avoidance System (CAS) alerts the driver to the danger by means of coloured markings on the edges of the race display.

To the right of the driver and inclined towards them is a control panel with buttons and an integrated screen. It represents the third information level. This is where the driver's biometric data is displayed. This includes body temperature, for example, which is detected by sensors in the seat.

Livestream broadcast from inside the car

Two cameras mounted on the roof frame and on a rail above the passenger seat show what is happening inside the car during a race in real time. The live images can be transmitted directly to the community using a livestream button in the control panel. Fans can also communicate directly with the driver, for example by sending them likes.

Integrated helmet ventilation and disinfection

It goes without saying that motorsports equipment, such as a six-point safety harness, longitudinally adjustable pedals, safety nets and an extinguisher system, are also fitted. A new feature is the combination of helmet holder and dryer. In the Mission R, the driver’s helmet can be placed on a specially designed holder, which is positioned where the passenger headrest would be in a standard vehicle. During a break from racing, the helmet is first disinfected and then dried.

Porsche has once again come up with something special for the interior ventilation system: fresh air now enters the cockpit directly via an adjustable inlet in the windscreen. This is a very effective and sustainable solution, therefore, compared with conventional designs with centrifugal fans and long air ducts routed from the front of the vehicle into the interior.

For taxi rides, a second seat can be mounted on the passenger side. The control units, including cooler, which are combined into one electronic module, are located in the footwell. The driver's water bottle is also integrated into the seating arrangement. The expansion tanks for battery coolant, brake fluid and dampers are all neatly arranged beneath the rear window.