First pure-electric Porsche gets green light, Mission E will have nearly 600bhp

IT’S OFFICIAL, Porsche is to build its first pure-electric production car. The four-door, four seat Mission E, which was first unveiled at September’s Frankfurt motor show, will be built at its Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen factory, the company announced today.

The Mission E will have a power output of 440 kW (590hp), a 0-62mph time of “under 3.5 seconds” and a range of up to 311 miles, Porsche claims.

The news will surely turn the heads of potential Tesla Model S owners; the American saloon in P85 D form has up to 532hp, can accelerate to 60mph in 2.8 seconds and has a range of 305 miles, making the Mission E a genuine rival in performance and range, as well as comfort.

Meanwhile, its 800-volt charger system, specially developed for the car, can charge the battery pack integrated within the vehicle floor to from flat to 80% capacity in just 15 minutes. Porsche says the Mission E will also come with a wireless charging option.

The German marque will be investing EUR 700m (£506m) over the next few years in its Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen factory, creating a new paint shop and assembly plant, and expanding the existing engine factory for the production of electric motors.

“With Mission E, we are making a clear statement about the future of the brand,” said Dr. Wolfgang Porsche, Chairman of the company. “Even in a greatly changing motoring world, Porsche will maintain its front-row position with this fascinating sports car.”

There’s a bit of a wait for any interested buyers, though: the Porsche Mission E is due to be launched “at the end of the decade”.