Porsche Vision 357 concept pays homage to legendary 356 sports car
Set to remain a design study, sadly
Porsche has unveiled the Vision 357, a retro-themed design concept paying tribute to the first sports cars from the firm and marking Porsche’s 75th birthday as a standalone carmaker.
The name and overall look of the 357 harks back to the Porsche 356, designed by Ferry Porsche and Erwin Komenda (one of the lead designers on Ferdinand Porsche’s Volkswagen Beetle project), the first examples of which emerged in 1948.
Whereas early 356 models had less than 40bhp and similar mechanicals to the Beetle, the Vision 357 is based on the company’s wild 718 Cayman GT4 RS and makes use of its naturally-aspirated 4-litre flat-six engine, theoretically allowing it to develop 493bhp.
Also unlike the 356 — many of which saw use as successful clubman racing cars — is that Porsche has no plans to either race or build further examples of the concept, with the Vision 357 existing purely as a celebration of the company’s big anniversary.
“We created a very special birthday present in the form of the Porsche Vision 357, one which uses the 356 as a basis to underscore the significance of our design DNA,” said Michael Mauer, vice president of Porsche’s styling department.
“The concept car is an attempt to combine the past, present and future with coherency, featuring proportions that are reminiscent of its historical archetype and details that visualise the outlook for the future.”
He added that “thinking out loud about the future” is a core focus of Style Porsche, and though they’re not designed to make it to production the concepts help feed into future designs.
“We are perpetually on the conceptual journey into the future of mobility,” he said. “Time and again, the brand history serves as a source of inspiration. Taking a look back at our tradition with a future concept car is not as paradoxical as it might seem.”
The Vision 357 is rather more hump-backed than the Cayman on which it’s based, being inspired by early 356 coupé models. As are the round headlight graphics and the quick-release bonnet fasteners, the latter often seen on old 356 racers.
Because of the black A-pillars, the surfaces of the windscreen and side windows appear as one single wraparound unit, almost like a helmet visor.
Along the side, the door handles are concealed by visually integrating the surface with that of the windows. A large “75” decal is obviously a reference to Porsche’s anniversary celebration, but as a tribute to the 356’s racing heritage, it looks like a starting number
The rear grille pattern (into which a third rear brake light is embedded) is another nod to the original 356, with Porsche saying that the two-tone metallic grey paintwork isn’t entirely out-of-character with the shades that were in style in the early 1950s.
The concept sits on a set of 20in magnesium wheels with an aerodynamically-honed set of carbon-fibre hubcaps and central wheel locks. There’s nothing behind the lower area of the front wheels, improving airflow and reducing turbulence by allowing better ventilation of the wheel arches.
Retro though the Vision 357 is in some of its design cues, other aspects are bang up to date.
Door mirrors are replaced by in-vogue aerodynamic camera pods, while the materials used in the concept’s construction are both light and relatively sustainable.
The side sills are made from natural fibre-reinforced plastic, a flax-based material also used in the 2021 Porsche Mission R, the company’s concept study for an electric GT racing car, thought to represent a preview of the future electric Boxster and Cayman.
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Meanwhile, the rear tailpipe trim is made from a blue-tinged titanium.
Sadly, the Vision 357 is set to remain a concept study (it doesn’t even have an interior) though if you want to see it in the metal, it will form the centrepiece of an exhibition in Berlin celebrating 75 years of Porsche cars.
The exhibit opens on January 27, running until mid-February, though if you miss that the concept is also due to go on display at various motor shows throughout the year.
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