News
Gallery15
Pick your jaw up from the floor, this is Porsche's gorgeous new 357 Speedster concept – built, like its hardtop sibling, to celebrate the Stuttgart icon's 75th birthday.
Unlike the 368kW Cayman GT4 RS-based and powered 357 coupe concept, the 357 Speedster is based on the more future-focused Cayman GT4 ePerformance unveiled in May last year.
There's a circle-of-life element here, however, because even that track-eating terror was a testbed that drew on the Mission R concept revealed in 2021 – likely previewing the next-generation, electrified Cayman.
15
Click the above photo to see our full gallery
In Speedster form, the 356-celebrating 357 show car boasts no official power figures, but the Cayman GT4 ePerformance claimed 450kW of constant power, with a peak output of 725kW.
That's a step down from the Mission R concept, which claimed a combined output from its two electric motors of 800kW – although Porsche said it would limit that to around 500kW for any actual motorsport application.
As for its styling, the 357 concept – we desperately want to see 'concept' dropped from its name at some point – follows its coupe companion in paying tribute to the legendary 356.
15
“The Porsche Vision 357 is a nod to the first Porsche model line, Ferry Porsche’s dream sports car," says Michael Mauer, Vice President for Style Porsche.
"And since the 356 has burned itself into the collective brand memory as both a convertible and a coupé, the same logic applies to the concept car: there can only be two."
“The Porsche Vision 357 Speedster embodies the essence of the brand. Driving pleasure and driving dynamics combined with an extremely purist form. As with the Mission X that we presented just a few weeks ago, this model demonstrates that even with fresh design genes, the Porsche DNA shines through.”
15
In Porsche's words
"The two-colour concept with the two grey tones Marble Grey and Grivelo Grey Metallic is inspired by historic motorsport forerunners, such as the front fenders used to protect against flying rocks in race scenarios and the front wings, which feature the darker Metallic colour.
"The front wheels are also painted in Grivelo Grey Metallic. This is complemented by contrasts in Miami Blue, for example on the quick-release mechanisms on the wrap-around front bonnet.
"The anniversary logo with the large “75” and the two years “1948” and “2023” feature Grivelo Grey Metallic and Miami Blue – a fresh alternative to the decorative elements of the coupé Vision 357, where red was used as an additional colour.
"Above this are comic-style unicorns in front of the rear wheels. The mythical creature was drawn specifically for the concept car by Porsche designers, who also put their hand to the punchy “Speedster” logo.
"Cameras replace the exterior mirrors. As in the classic forebears, they are not positioned on the doors, but further forward on the fenders. In the open-top 357, they feature a new, aerodynamically optimised shape reminiscent of wings."
Where can I see the 357 Speedster concept?
Book a plane ticket, fast.
The 357 Speedster will make its world premiere at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, before going on to be displayed at this year's Rennsport Reunion in the USA at the end of September.
15
Click the above photo to see our full gallery
Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.
COMMENTS