Porsche Vision 357 Speedster Concept Unveiled
It was 75 years ago that Porsche registered its first sports car, the humble 356 known as the No. 1. During this memorable year, Porsche imagined what the 356 would look like if it were replaced with its current design. The result is the Vision 357 Concept, first unveiled as a coupe in January and unveiled in Speedster form on Thursday.
The Vision 357 Speedster Concept, which will make its official debut this week at the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK, is a modern interpretation of the 356 Speedster, which was introduced in 1954 at the request of renowned US importer Max Hoffman. He was also the first person to produce a Mercedes-Benz Speedster. He also convinced Mercedes-Benz to produce the 300SL.
The coupe's glass roof is gone, leaving only the windshield and one headrest and roll bar for the driver projecting upward beyond the car's shoulder line. The passenger side is concealed by a tonneau cover.
The interior is completely reduced in size, with only minimal controls, and most surfaces are covered in exposed carbon fiber. A digital instrument cluster composed of transparent panels provides the driver with both information and a clear view of the road ahead.
Other interesting features include invisible taillights hidden beneath a mesh pattern machined into the body panels, slender camera stalks in place of conventional side mirrors, carbon-fiber hubcaps for improved aerodynamic efficiency, a 20 inch magnesium retro-style wheels with carbon fiber hubcaps for improved aerodynamic efficiency.
Unlike the coupe, which shares a platform and flat-six engine with the 718 Cayman GT4 RS, the Vision 357 Speedster is an electric car. It sits on top of the 718 GT4 e-Performance framework unveiled at last year's Goodwood Festival of Speed and could serve as a test bed for the electric 718 sports car scheduled for around 2025, and possibly a racing version of it. In other words, the concept would have an electric motor on each axle, capable of delivering up to 1,073 hp in total.
Neither concept of the Vision 357 is likely to see a production version anytime soon. However, Porsche design chief Michael Mauer has suggested that they may foreshadow design themes for future production models, including the 718 electric car and the upcoming 911.
The Goodwood Festival of Speed will take place July 13-16. Porsche will premiere the 718 Spyder RS and Mission X Concept at the event.
