Porsche marks the 30th anniversary of the famed Goodwood Festival of Speed in style with the Vision 357 Speedster. The new concept car is the sister-model to the closed Vision 357 which the sports car manufacturer launched its own anniversary-year celebrations.
In design terms an homage to the 356, technologically the all-electric Vision 357 Speedster is based on the 718 GT4 e-Performance. Overall, Porsche presented more than 15 new and classic models on the grounds of the Duke of Richmond in West Sussex. One of the highlights is the 356 No. 1 Roadster, the very first sports car from the brand. Six Le Mans winners were also on display for the motorsport aficionados in attendance.
The Vision 357 Speedster is
based on the technology of the 718 GT4 e-performance. So the electric
motors and battery technology come from the Mission R and the chassis
from the 718 GT4 Clubsport. Following its world premiere at the Goodwood
Festival of Speed, the design study will be on display at this year's
Rennsport Reunion in the USA at the end of September.
The concept
car has the squat, shortened windscreen that is typical of a speedster,
lending even more emphasis to the car’s monolithic body. Spanning the
right side of the car is a tonneau cover of the type once common on
open-top sports cars. The driver’s headrest appears suspended in the air
due to the technically designed carbon roll-over element behind it.
Behind that is the charge port door and the anchor for the classic
speedster top.
The two-colour concept with the two grey tones
Marble Grey and Grivelo Grey Metallic is inspired by historic motorsport
forerunners, such as the front fenders used to protect against flying
rocks in race scenarios and the front wings, which feature the darker
Metallic colour. The front wheels are also painted in Grivelo Grey
Metallic. This is complemented by contrasts in Miami Blue, for example
on the quick-release mechanisms on the wrap-around front bonnet.
The
anniversary logo with the large “75” and the two years “1948” and
“2023” feature Grivelo Grey Metallic and Miami Blue - a fresh
alternative to the decorative elements of the coupe Vision 357, where
red was used as an additional colour. Above this are comic-style
unicorns in front of the rear wheels. The mythical creature was drawn
specifically for the concept car by Porsche designers, who also put
their hand to the punchy “Speedster” logo. Cameras replace the exterior
mirrors. As in the classic forebears, they are not positioned on the
doors, but further forward on the fenders. In the open-top 357, they
feature a new, aerodynamically optimised shape reminiscent of wings.
Other
details of the exterior design are familiar from its sister concept
car: the four-point light signet on the front features a round design
evocative of the Porsche 356. The rear lights sit behind a patterned
array of points milled in the body itself. Another nod to the first
Porsche model line is the vertical grille pattern in the rear. The third
brake light is integrated in the grille design.
The wide track
makes a bullish impression and enhances driving stability. The 20-inch
wheels are made of magnesium and are equipped with carbon fibre hubcaps
and central locks. Visually, they also recall a legendary Porsche wheel:
the 356 A and 356 B with drum brakes had rims with the notably large
bolt circle of 205 mm.
The interior is reduced to the essential and fully tailored to the driver. The low-slung seat position is quintessentially sporty. The CFRP seat shell is integrated in the monocoque. The driver sits on Racetex-covered pads and held firmly in place by six-point seat belt with a Miami Blue belt strap. The instrument cluster sits atop the steering column as a transparent surface. The racing steering wheel exemplifies lightness, while the impact absorber appears as if suspended. The individual controls, meanwhile, revisit the accent colour Miami Blue from the exterior.
The entire dashboard is in a carbon-weave finish. As an alternative to a conventional glove compartment, Miami Blue straps in the upper right section can be used to secure accessories. Simple fabric straps replace conventional door handles. This detail from the racing milieu saves weight.
"The Vision 357 is a nod to the first Porsche model line, Ferry Porsche’s dream sports car. And since the 356 has burned itself into the collective brand memory as both a convertible and a coupé, the same logic applies to the concept car: there can only be two," says Michael Mauer, Vice President Style Porsche. "The Vision 357 Speedster embodies the essence of the brand. Driving pleasure and driving dynamics combined with an extremely purist form. As with the Mission X that we presented just a few weeks ago, this model demonstrates that even with fresh design genes, the Porsche DNA shines through."
