Porsche Celebrates Milestones with Vision 357 Speedster
Porsche is continuing its 75th birthday celebrations with the unveiling of the Vision 357 Speedster. This special edition model pays homage to both 75 years of Porsche sports cars and 30 years of the Goodwood Festival of Speed. While the original Vision 357 concept was based on the 718 Cayman GT4 RS, the Speedster version takes on an electric powertrain, providing more than double the power.
The Vision 357 Speedster draws its underpinnings from the 718 GT4 e-Performance prototype, which features a dual-motor setup capable of producing 1072bhp in qualifying mode. This impressive power allows the Speedster to achieve a 0-62mph time well below 3.0 seconds, even in its less track-focused configuration. The GT4 also boasts 900V fast charging, enabling the 82kWh battery to replenish 75% of its capacity in just 15 minutes. It is expected that the same charging capabilities will be mirrored in the Vision 357 Speedster.
In terms of weight, the Vision 357 Speedster is expected to weigh slightly more than the GT4 e-Performance, which is around 1600kg. This is due to the fact that the Speedster is primarily a show car, focused on style rather than performance.
Visually, the Vision 357 Speedster differs from its coupé sibling in several ways. It has a shorter height, thanks to the chopped windscreen, and features a more subtle blue-on-silver 75th anniversary livery. Inside, carbonfibre-reinforced-plastic bucket seats are integrated into the monocoque and are trimmed in Racetex microfibre. They are paired with six-point harnesses in Miami Blue. The dashboard is finished entirely in exposed carbon weave and features a transparent gauge cluster and racing wheel. The charging port is conveniently integrated into the driver’s roll hoop.
The Vision 357 Speedster will make its debut at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, where Porsche is the celebrated marque. The festival’s centrepiece sculpture, designed by British artist Gerry Judah, will commemorate Porsche’s 75th anniversary. In addition to the Vision 357 Speedster, the Porsche stand will also showcase the brand’s first-ever sports car, the 356 No.1, which served as the inspiration for the Vision 357. Other notable vehicles include an extreme Cayenne Transsyberia and the one millionth 911 produced. Visitors can also expect to see famous race cars such as the Le Mans-winning 936/81 Spyder.
In conclusion, the Vision 357 Speedster is a remarkable vehicle that combines Porsche’s rich history with cutting-edge electric powertrain technology. This special edition model not only celebrates Porsche’s 75th anniversary but also pays tribute to the Goodwood Festival of Speed. With its impressive performance capabilities and unique design features, the Vision 357 Speedster is sure to captivate automotive enthusiasts at this year’s festival.