Top Gear has shared a video on YouTube featuring Ollie Marriage driving the Porsche Mission R, a concept car the German automaker introduced last September. Despte being a prototype, the vehicle if fully functional and hits 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 2.5 seconds.
Marriage said the same team that once brought us the 919 Hybrid designed the Mission R using similar technological solutions. The car runs on the Taycan Turbo S powertrain but gets 1,088 metric horsepower (1,073 hp / 800 kW) out of it.
Using the 900V wiring along with a 350kW charger enables rapid charging, which is especially important considering the car runs its batteries dry after 30-40 minutes of full-tilt track driving.
A regenerative braking system is provided for range extension, and puts up to 800kW worth of power back into the battery when engaged. According to Marriage, the system can spend energy nearly as fast as it can accumulate it.
Construction-wise, the car comes based on a carbon fiber exoskeleton/safety cage. The current FIA regulations forbid such body designs for racing applications, but the Mission R was built to preview the future of the motorsports.
The host also pointed out the compact size of the car and its futuristic cockpit. He was highly impressed with its handling and stability, pointing out that the Misson R had a power-to-weight ratio similar to that of the Bugatti Chiron. He also opined that a tournament between similarly designed EV prototypes could look great as an accompanying event to the aging Formula One series.