The Porsche Mission R's Design Balances Function and Beauty

Aerodynamics Don't Need to Diminish Beauty

While a racing car always puts function before form, the Mission R's exterior, flowing and curvaceous, has the distinctive style and evidence of thoughtful craftsmanship. As the Mission R represents a major step forward for the company, it would only make sense to make it both visually pleasing—so many thoroughbred racing cars look more like insects than carefully sculpted bodies—and reminiscent of Porsche's road car lineup. 

Diminutive Proportions

The pleasing proportions are so much like a Cayman, but, the shape and the sharper collection of aerodynamic elements do set it apart from the more conventional styling of the road car. 

Very short overhangs, a much more gradual taper to the hatch line (skyline), and the massive maw reminiscent of a Macan give it a strange blend of traits—like an aggressive almond. 

But tacked onto either end are well-integrated aero bits. Its DRS (Drag Reduction System) is made of three louvers in the air intakes on each side of the nose section as well as an adjustable, two-section spoiler at the rear. 

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Enjoying an Exposed Structure

The carbon exoskeleton, designed to cocoon the driver in safety, combines high protection potential for the driver with low weight and a distinctive look.

The framework is exposed and its six transparent polycarbonate segments add to a sense of spaciousness inside what is actually a cozy cockpit, known as the greenhouse. The airiness and transparent surfaces help the driver appreciate their surroundings, place the car accurately, and, of course, provide them with Buck Rogers-style surroundings.

The A-pillars are black and visually blend the side window surfaces into a single item. Also, the curved windscreen, which extends slightly around the corners improves all-around visibility and gives the car a slightly helmet-like appearance at the front. Form does follow function, but they've managed to stylize the functional elements more than what's typically seen with other racing cars. 

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Streamlined and Sharp

Despite the way the front end leaves an impression of slight bulkiness, the Mission R has been sculpted especially to penetrate the air. 

The cabin sharpens as it slopes forward to reduce the frontal area and lower air resistance. To further reduce drag, cameras are mounted on the edge of the roof as a digital replacement for conventional wing mirrors.

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Memorable Curvature

It's no mean feat trying to combine both pleasing curves and functional edges, but the Mission R manages. 

From certain angles, it's 996ish. From others, it's a Cayman. There's a little Taycan and Macan in there, too. All of these elements are integrated subtly and, like so few cars can truly do, the resulting combination straddles the fence between angular and organic.

As the eye moves downward, the waistline expands without looking bloated. The recessed sills, tasteful tapers, and a complementing balance of sharp edges and feminine curvature all contribute to a well-executed car that, though obviously more interested in function than form, remains pleasing to the eye.

Hopefully, that lovely shape should turn a few more heads and enlighten the nay-sayers about the future of electricity. 

>>Join the conversation about the Mission R's design right here in the 6SpeedOnline Forum!