Vision 357 Speedster pays tribute to the first Porsche sportscar

Porsche marks the 30th anniversary of the Goodwood Festival of Speed with the world premiere of the Porsche Vision 357 Speedster, a new concept car which is the sister-model to the Porsche Vision 357 which the sportscar manufacturer launched its own anniversary-year celebrations.

In design terms, the concept is a homage to the 356; however the all-electric Porsche Vision 357 Speedster is based on the 718 GT4 e-Performance technologically. Its electric motors and battery technology come from the Mission R and the chassis from the 718 GT4 Clubsport.

Dual colour concept
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.

The front wheels are also painted in Grivelo Grey Metallic. This is complemented by contrasts in Miami Blue on the quick-release mechanisms on the wrap-around front bonnet, for example.

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 coupe Vision 357, where red was used as an additional colour.

Comic-style unicorns
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.

Spanning the right side of the car is a tonneau cover of the type once common on open-top sportscars. The driver’s headrest appears suspended in the air due to the technically designed carbonfibre roll-over element behind it. Behind that is the port door for the charging cable and the anchor for the classic speedster top.

The rear lights sit behind a patterned array of points milled in the body itself. Reminiscent of the first Porsche model line is the vertical grille pattern in the rear. The third brake light is integrated in the grille design.

The wide track makes a bullish impression and enhances driving stability. The 20-inch wheels are made of magnesium and are equipped with carbonfibre hubcaps and central locks. Visually, they also recall a legendary Porsche wheel: the 356 A and 356 B with drum brakes had rims with the notably large bolt circle of 205 mm.

Interior tailored to driver
The interior is reduced to the essential and fully tailored to the driver. The low-slung seat position is quintessentially sporty. The CFRP seat shell is integrated in the monocoque. The driver sits on Racetex-covered pads and held firmly in place by 6-point seat belt with a Miami Blue belt strap.

The instrument cluster sits atop the steering column as a transparent surface. The racing steering wheel exemplifies lightness, while the impact absorber appears as if suspended. The individual controls, meanwhile, revisit the accent colour Miami Blue from the exterior.

“The Porsche Vision 357 is a nod to the first Porsche model line, Ferry Porsche’s dream sportscar. And since the 356 has burned itself into the collective brand memory as both a convertible and a coupe, the same logic applies to the concept car: there can only be two,” said Michael Mauer, Vice-President Style Porsche.

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