Tesla has been the foremost champion of electric cars. The steady blend of high-end luxury, cutting edge design, and environmental responsibility has made it a sure fire winner. But as with all forms of innovation, it’s never too long before a rival presents themselves. Enter: Porsche.
Porsche has been busy at work with their very own electric car. Having announced a planned expenditure of $1.16 billion USD to “… overhaul its Stuggart plant…” in the pursuit of this last year, anticipation is mounting to say the least. The Mission E, as it has been dubbed, is set to go on sale by 2019’s end– a touch earlier than the initial 2020 projection. And according to Porsche chairman, Oliver Blume, will be “… priced like [an] entry-level Panamera…”. That’s $85,000 USD. Fairly reasonable with all things considered, if you ask me.
The Mission E has endured quite the journey to reach where it is today. Originally revealed to the world as nothing but a mere concept at the 2015 International Motor Show in Frankfurt, specifications of the vehicle itself were kept broad. Nothing beyond the fact that it would have a range more than 250 miles and include “… a number of other innovative technologies…” being divulged. Nothing concrete has been unveiled about said innovative technologies as of yet, but here’s what we know so far:
- Twin motors
- All-wheel drive
- 600 horsepower
- Top speed of 240km/h, 0 to 100km/h in 3.5 seconds (Tesla’s Model S P100D doing that in 2.5 seconds for those keeping score)
- Advanced lithium-ion battery on the underbody, extending across full length of car for equal weight distribution
- Inductive charging technology– think wireless charging for your phone (but can also be charged conventionally at stations with a cable)
- 80% charge in 15 minutes, giving it a range of 400km (495km on full charge, 22km more than Tesla’s Model S)
- No exterior mirrors, camera feed displayed on corners of windshield with augmented safety information capabilities
- Augmented dashboard display, the car will detect where the driver is looking and display options which they can then confirm at the wheel
- Wireless software updates
Looks like Tesla might not be the biggest kid in the electric motors playground for long.
