Welcome, readers, to the future. A future where a 600bhp Porsche sports car has four doors, four full-size seats, four-wheel drive and dispatches 0-62mph in under 3.5 seconds, yet there’s not a drop of unleaded in sight.

Welcome to the Porsche Mission E – an all-electric sports car revealed at the Frankfurt motor show and one that, if all goes to plan, could prove as significant to Porsche’s next 50 years as the 911 has to its past.

Over to Wolfgang Hatz, Porsche’s R&D boss to explain what on earth is going on.

“With this car we intend to start a new era with Porsche, similar to the 911 fifty years ago,” Hatz tell us. “This is more than a show car, it’s a concept car that we can realise. To put it into production we’ll need three to three-and-a-half years.”

He’s not beating around the bush then. In fact, the only reason we need to wait at all is to allow the necessary technology to come on stream.

Claimed figures for the Mission E? 0-62mph in less than 3.5 seconds; 600bhp from its two e-motors (one on each axle); a range of 500km (312 miles); an 80 per cent charge in 15 minutes thanks to a world-first 800V architecture. Oh, and a weight target of 2,000kg.

All these numbers are all theoretical at the moment, based on Porsche’s projections for how current tech will develop over the next few years.

But Porsche knows that if its change-adverse customer base is to accept the idea, it firstly needs to make them weak at the knees. That’s where design boss Michael Mauer and his team come in.

“The challenge was keeping it low,” Mauer says. “You have the floor, then the battery, then the people. We had to squeeze out every millimetre to make it a dramatic shape.”

Well, it was worth the squeeze, because at 129cm high, the Mission E sits shoulder-to-shoulder with a 911, while at 199cm wide it’s a full 18cm broader.

Nose-to-tail it slots neatly between the Panamera and 911, but Mauer is quick to point out the Mission E is more of a four-door 911 than a small Panamera. Given its shrink-wrapped bodywork and 911-shaped glasshouse we’re inclined to agree.

So the windows, roofline and chunky arches are classic Porsche, but there are fresh, forward-thinking elements in there, too.

The rear-hinged rear doors (good for access, not great for structural rigidity), 3D headlamps, clamshell bonnet and pinstripe taillight are all new. There’s aero-thinking in the exterior design too, with huge breather vents behind the front arches to smooth air whipped up by the carbon-fibre wheels.

The interior is far out, but not that far out. On the show car everything works, including a holographic display controlled by hand gestures in the middle of the dash.

Coolest part? The five-dial digital instrument panel is curved like the latest 4K TVs, and references the original five-dial design that adorned the very first 911 – the ‘901’ concept shown at the ’63 Frankfurt show – and stuck around for two decades after that.

But that’s not all: the Mission E also employs a camera trained on the driver’s face, which knows which dial you’re looking at, highlights it and lets you bring it to the foreground via a button on the wheel. Spooky stuff.

What sort of noise the production version of the Mission E might make is anyone’s guess. Mauer suggests that enhancing the car’s natural “jet engine” sounds is the way to go, but “copying a V8” is not.

In terms of price we’re told the Mission E won’t be 918 Spyder hypercar territory, but rather more affordable. A starting price of around £100,000 has been mooted: BMW i8 and top-end Tesla Model S money is our best guess.

But these are all details to be ironed out at a later date. For now, all Porsche is interested in is wowing its customers and, in the words of Hatz, “building the best electric car in the world. Do that, and people will buy it.”

So readers, would you?

Porsche Mission E: 600 hp, 500 kilometer driving range, 15 minutes charging time

World premiere of the first battery-powered four-seat concept car from Porsche

Stuttgart. In presenting the Mission E at the IAA in Frankfurt, Porsche is introducing the first all-electrically powered four-seat sports car in the brand's history. The concept car combines the unmistakable emotional design of a Porsche with excellent performance and the forward-thinking practicality of the first 800-volt drive system. Key specification data of this fascinating sports car: four doors and four single seats, over 600 hp (440 kW) system power and over 500 km driving range. All-wheel drive and all-wheel steering, zero to 100 km/h acceleration in under 3.5 seconds and a charging time of around 15 minutes to reach an 80 per cent charge of electrical energy. Instruments are intuitively operated by eye-tracking and gesture control, some even via holograms – highly oriented toward the driver by automatically adjusting the displays to the driver's position.

Drive system: over 600 hp with technologies from endurance racing

The drive system of the Mission E is entirely new, yet it is typical Porsche, i.e. proven in motor racing. Two permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSM) – similar to those used in this year's Le Mans victor, the 919 hybrid – accelerate the sports car and recover braking energy. The best proof of a Porsche is 24 hours of top racing performance and a 1-2 finish. Together the two motors produce over 600 hp, and they propel the Mission E to a speed of 100 km/h in less than 3.5 seconds and to 200 km/h in under twelve seconds. In addition to their high efficiency, power density and uniform power development, they offer another advantage: unlike today's electric drive systems, they can develop their full power even after multiple accelerations at short intervals. The need-based all-wheel drive system with Porsche Torque Vectoring – which automatically distributes torque to the individual wheels – transfers the drive system's power to the road, and all-wheel steering gives precise, sporty steering in the desired direction. This makes the Mission E fit for the circuit race track; its lap time on the Nürburgring Nordschleife is under the eight-minute mark.

Everyday practicality: convenient and quick charging, over 500 km driving range

It is not just passionate sportiness that makes up a Porsche but also a high level of everyday practicality. Accordingly, the Mission E can travel over 500 km on one battery charge, and it can be charged with enough energy for around 400 km more driving range in about fifteen minutes. The reason: Porsche is a front-runner in introducing innovative 800-volt technology for the first time. Doubling the voltage – compared to today's electric vehicles that operate at 400 volts – offers multiple advantages: shorter charging times and lower weight, because lighter, smaller gage copper cables are sufficient for energy transport. A moveable body segment on the front left wing in front of the driver's door gives access to the charging port for the innovative "Porsche Turbo Charging" system. Via the 800-volt port, the battery can be charged to approximately 80 per cent of its capacity in around 15 minutes – a record time for electric vehicles. As an alternative, the technology platform can be connected to a conventional 400-volt charging station, or it can be replenished at home in the garage via convenient inductive charging by simply parking over a coil embedded in the floor of the garage from which the energy is transferred without cables to a coil on the car's underbody.

Low centre of gravity for superior driving dynamics

Another feature that is typical of a Porsche sports car is a lightweight concept with optimal weight distribution and a low centre of gravity. The battery mounted in the car's underbody, which is based on the latest lithium-ion technology, runs the whole length between the front and rear axles. This distributes its weight to the two drive axles uniformly, resulting in exceptionally good balance. In addition, it makes the sports car's centre of gravity extremely low. Both of these factors significantly boost performance and a sports car feeling. The body as a whole is made up of a functional mix of aluminium, steel and carbon fibre reinforced polymer. The wheels are made of carbon: the Mission E has wide tyres mounted on 21-inch wheels in front and 22-inch wheels at the rear.

Design: fascinating sports car with Porsche DNA

Every square inch, every angle, every radius of the Mission E reflects one thing above all else: emotional sportiness in the best tradition of Porsche design. The starting point is the sculpture of a sport saloon with a low height of 130 cm with sports car attributes from Zuffenhausen that embodies visible innovations such as its integrated aerodynamics. Distinctive air inlets and outlets – on the front, sides and at the rear – typify the body's full flow-through design that enhances efficiency and performance. Integrated air guides improve airflow around the wheels, for instance, and air outlets on the sides reduce overpressure in the wheel wells, thereby reducing lift.

The much reduced sculpting of the front end shows a classic Porsche sweepback, and it relates the concept car to the 918 Spyder and Porsche race cars. A new type of matrix LED headlights in the brand's typical four-point light design captures the viewer's gaze. Integrated as an element hovering in the airflow of the air inlet, they lend a futuristic character to the front end. The four LED units are grouped around a flat sensor for assistance systems whose border serves as an indicator light. Distinctive front wings and an extremely low-cut bonnet reference 911 design. As in the 911 GT3 RS, a wide characteristic recess extends from the overlapping front luggage compartment lid up and over the roof. The line of the side windows is also similar to that of the 911, however, with one important difference: two counter-opening doors enable convenient entry – without a B-pillar. Another difference: instead of the classic door mirror, inconspicuous cameras are mounted on the sides that contribute to the car's exceptional aerodynamics.

The rear design underscores the typical sports car architecture. The lean cabin with its accelerated rear windscreen, which draws inward at the rear, creates space for the sculpted shape of the rear wings that only a Porsche can have. A three-dimensional "PORSCHE" badge illuminated from inside hovers beneath an arch of light that extends across the entire width in a black glass element.

Interior: light and open with four single seats

The interior of the Mission E transfers all of the traditional Porsche design principles into the future: openness, purist design, clean architecture, driver orientation and everyday practicality. The all-electric drive concept made it possible to fully reinterpret the interior. The lack of a transmission tunnel, for instance, opens up space and gives a lighter and more airy atmosphere to the entire interior. Race bucket seats served as inspiration for the four single seats. Their lightweight design is weight-saving, and it gives occupants secure lateral support during dynamic driving. Between the front seats, the centre console – elegantly curved like a bridge with open space beneath it – extends up to the dashboard.

Display and control concept: intuitive, fast and free of distractions

A new world based on an innovative display and control concept opens up before the driver. It is intuitive, fast and free of distractions – created for the sports car of tomorrow. The filigree driver's display is curved, low-profile and free-standing. The instrument cluster shows five round instruments – they can be recognized as Porsche, but they are displayed virtually in OLED technology, i.e. by organic light-emitting diodes. The round instruments are organized according to the driver-relevant themes of Connected Car, Performance, Drive, Energy and Sport Chrono. The controls are just as innovative. An eye-tracking system detects, via camera, which instrument the driver is viewing. The driver can then activate the menu of the instrument in focus by pushing a button on the steering wheel and navigate in it – which also involves an interplay of eye-tracking and manual activation. But that is not all: the display follows the seat position and body attitude of the driver in what is known as a parallax effect. If the driver sits lower, higher or leans to one side, the 3D display of the round instruments reacts and moves with the driver. This eliminates situations in which the steering wheel blocks the driver's view of certain key information, for instance. All relevant information such as vehicle speed is always within the driver's line of sight.

The Mission E can even portray driving fun: a camera mounted in the rear-view mirror recognizes the driver's good mood and shows it as an emoticon in the round instrument. The fun factor can be saved together with individual information such as the route or speed, and it can be shared with friends via a social media link.

Holographic display with touch-free gesture control

The entire dashboard is chock full of new ideas. Its division into two three-dimensionally structuring layers reinforces the impression of lightness and clarity. The upper layer integrates the driver's display, and between the levels there is a holographic display that extends far into the passenger's side. It shows individually selectable apps, which are stacked in virtual space and arranged by priority with a three-dimensional effect. The driver – or passenger – can use these apps to touch-free control primary functions such as media, navigation, climate control, contacts and vehicle. The desired symbol is activated by gestures that are detected by sensors. A grasping gesture means select, while pulling means control. Moreover, driver or passenger can use a touch display on the centre console to control secondary functions such as detailed information menus.

The concept vehicle can also be configured externally from a tablet via Porsche Car Connect. Using "Over the Air and Remote Services" the driver can essentially change the functional content of the vehicle overnight. A simple update via the integrated high-speed data module is all it takes to implement the travel guide or additional functions for the chassis, engine or infotainment system. The driver can use a smartphone or tablet to start updates conveniently from the Porsche Connect Store. Furthermore, Porsche Connect enables direct contact to a Porsche Centre for remote diagnostics or to schedule appointments. Another function of integrated Remote Services is the digital key, which can be sent via the Porsche Connect Portal. It not only lets the owner open the doors, but also other persons authorized by the owner such as friends or family. After successful authentication, the key can be used within a specific time frame and defined location.

The virtual exterior mirrors are literally eye-catching. The lower corners of the windscreen show the images of the outside cameras that are mounted in the front wings. The benefits: the driver gets a better view of images and the surroundings, and safety information can also be actively displayed there.

The presentation of the Mission E Cross Turismo from Porsche at the Geneva Motor Show is a concept study of an electrically-powered “Cross-Utility Vehicle.” Designed for individuals with an active lifestyle, the demand-controlled all-wheel drive easily handles varied weather conditions for practical year-round use. The interior offers plenty of cargo space while an exterior mounting system offers a solution for larger items like surfboards or bicycles.

The four-seater features an emotional design with striking off-road elements as well as a new display and control concept with touchscreens and eye tracking. The concept vehicle, which is 194.8 inches long, uses 800-volt fast-charging and can also be charged via induction or a charging dock and integrates seamlessly with a Porsche home energy management system. The road-ready Mission E Cross Turismo is a continuation of the Mission E study that Porsche presented at the Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA) in 2015.

The design: Unmistakable Porsche DNA

With a low hood between powerfully curved fenders, the front of the Mission E Cross Turismo has ties to the Porsche 911. The vertical air intakes at the front, known as “air curtains,” provide one of the striking design features. Matrix Design LED headlights represent another style highlight. The typical Porsche four-point daytime running lights have been developed into narrow, three-dimensional glass elements. Embedded in four floating fenders, these lights also feature the new four-point turn signal. Off-road design elements include rugged wheel arches and door sills, a striking front spoiler and rear fascia, and a ground clearance indicative of the ability to travel on and off paved roads.

The flyline is marked by a sporty roofline that tapers towards the rear, echoing the Panamera Sport Turismo. The dynamic design of the side windows is typical of Porsche style. The broad fenders and three-dimensional sidewalls with air outlets behind the front wheels reinforce the sporty crossover character of the 78.3-inch-wide concept vehicle. Distinctive side skirts with an off-road look and 20-inch wheels with 275/40 R 20 tires are among the vehicle's other defining features.

With its exclusive Light Grey Metallic paint, the study is also immediately recognizable as a Porsche from the back. In addition to the flow-through roof spoiler, the vehicle also features a full-length light strip. The Porsche lettering illuminated in white is embedded in a three-dimensional cover with a circuit path graphic. The “E” in the “Porsche” lettering pulsates when the vehicle is charging, and the circuit paths illuminate, giving customers a tangible sense of the energy flow. The large panoramic glass roof extending from the windshield to the tailgate delivers a generous feeling of spaciousness.

The versatility: Equipped for all mobility needs

The Mission E Cross Turismo gives an insight into how a series-production Turismo variant with cross-utility attributes suitable in equal measure for traveling, everyday life, and adventure could look. The 55.9-inch-tall four-seat concept is designed to be versatile. For example, a hatch is integrated into the backrests of the two individual seats in the rear to make loading long objects like skis easier. The backrests themselves can also fold. In the luggage compartment, there is a rail system with adjustable and removable belts to stow objects quickly and securely.

The interior: Visible lightweight structures

The interior features a new interpretation of classic Porsche elements for the digital age. For example, the instrument panel emphasizes the width of the vehicle with a wing-shaped top and bottom section. The dashboard has a clear horizontal arrangement with a wide display for the driver and front passenger. The free-standing instrument cluster is curved and angled towards the driver and consists of three circular display fields, digitally displayed on TFT screens. The center console between the front seats rises in the direction of the dashboard. The design elements in the interior also include visible lightweight structures, such as the dashboard and the sporty seats reminiscent of bucket-type racing seats, which feature illuminated Porsche lettering. The door panels have 3D elements with a structured surface. Anodized trim pieces in Nordic Blue around the air vents and the window switches provide a contrast to the black Aniline leather and Light Grey two-tone interior. Ambient cabin lighting further compliments all of the design elements.

The powertrain: Sporty e-performance in excess of 600 hp

Two synchronous electric motors with a system output of over 600 hp (440 kW) accelerate the Mission E Cross Turismo to 100 km/h (62 mph) in less than 3.5 seconds and to 200 kmh (124 mph) in under twelve seconds. This performance is in addition to a continuous power level that allows for multiple launches in succession without losing performance, which is unprecedented among electric vehicles. Demand-controlled all-wheel drive with Porsche Torque Vectoring, which automatically distributes torque to the individual wheels, transfers the power to the road.

The chassis: Adaptive air suspension for comfort and agility

All-wheel steering contributes to the exemplary agility and stability of the Mission E Cross Turismo, while the adaptive air suspension allows an increased clearance of up to 1.86 inches (50 mm). Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) is another feature available on board. This system provides active roll stabilization and prevents lateral inclination of the vehicle when cornering. It also helps reduce lateral instability over bumpy terrain.

The display and control concept: A unique user experience

A highlight of the Mission E Cross Turismo is a new display and control concept. Intuitive operation and information such as the head-up display optimally positioned in the driver’s field of vision enhance the driving experience. And thanks to the new connectivity solutions, the vehicle can also be perfectly integrated into a digital lifestyle. The result is a unique user experience. There are many important display and control options.

Driver display with eye tracking: The instrument cluster is comprised of virtual fields. These are assigned to the categories of Porsche Connect, Performance, Drive, Energy, and Sport Chrono. Using a camera in the interior mirror, the eye-tracking system can recognize where the driver is looking. The displays that the driver is interested in are then moved to the foreground, while the others are reduced into the background accordingly as a result of looking away from them. The displays are operated using smart-touch controls on the steering wheel.

Passenger display: This screen extends over the entire width of the passenger side. The passenger can operate various apps via eye tracking and touch technology, allowing access to functions like media, navigation, climate control, and contacts.

Touch control: a field in the center console features detailed information menus.

Small touchscreens: These screens are situated in the multifunctional window panels (for seat adjustment and seat comfort functions) as well as in the finless air vents on the right and left of the dashboard. By swiping left and right on these touchscreens, the ventilation strength can be adjusted.

The “smart cabin” approach simplifies operation. The vehicle settings, interior climate, and ambient lighting are all automatically adjusted to the wishes of the occupants and the respective driving situation.

The driver can also access a variety of information and adjust settings away from the vehicle: Customization options from the air-conditioning system to navigation can be set in advance via a tablet, smartphone, or smartwatch.

The “DestinationsApp:” A personal travel assistant

Porsche Connect already offers more than 20 digital services and apps. In the Mission E Cross Turismo, Porsche is adding another called the “DestinationsApp,” which demonstrates additional benefits the digital platform could offer in the near future. Using this app, a weekend trip can be planned quickly and easily in just a few steps on a smartphone. The app suggests travel destinations, enables reservations to be made quickly and effortlessly, and handles route planning. The driver can even tailor the chassis of the Mission E Cross Turismo to the selected route via the “DestinationsApp,” as well as choosing the most suitable music, climate control, and ambient lighting for the journey.

Charging: Fast and effortless

The 800-volt architecture in the vehicle ensures that the lithium-ion battery is charged for an NEDC range of approximately 250 miles (400 kilometers) in around 15 minutes. The concept vehicle allows flexible charging both on the move and at home, and is compatible with the fast-charging network that is being established on European roads as part of the IONITY joint venture. At home or the workplace, the Mission E Cross Turismo can be charged via induction technology, and at home with a charging dock that can work in conjunction with the Porsche home energy management system. The latter option can be combined with the home’s own photovoltaic system to recharge using solar energy.

Porsche Taycan: 7 things to expect from Porsche's first electric sedan

Due in 2019, the long-awaited luxury EV will take dead aim at Tesla

Porsche's first electric sedan is almost here: Production of the long-anticipated Mission E, now known as the Porsche Taycan, begins next year, which means we'll likely get a glimpse of the production version around the time of the 2018 LA Auto Show. Here are 7 things to expect from Porsche's first, but by no means last, Tesla fighter.

1. The name

Taycan, pronounced "tie-kahn," will be the production name of the Mission E concept, which had by now acquired its own brand recognition. Porsche says that the name approximately translates to "lively young horse" in some Asian dialects.

2. The motors

The Taycan will be powered by a pair of electric motors with a combined output of over 600 hp, but the kicker is that the rear motor will be more powerful than the front motor to make it more of a rear-biased car. The permanent magnet synchronous motors will also work to achieve braking, rather than relying on disc brakes alone. Expect two-speed gearboxes for city and highway driving -- EVs don't usually have these, but it really does make sense to have a taller gear to maintain acceleration at the top end of the performance envelope.

3. The performance

Porsche indicated earlier this year that the Taycan will be capable of sprints from 0-60 mph in less than 3.5 seconds, and it will hit 125 mph in "less than" 12 seconds on its way to a top speed that will be somewhere north of 155 mph. Porsche execs have indicated that the 3.5-second launches will be repeatable all day long, in a jab at Tesla's asterisk-marked launch times.

The Taycan will also serve up multiple driving modes, as you'd expect, to tailor its lithium-ion battery and motor performance to the type of driving you're doing. This means you'll be able to hypermile when you don't need the full capabilities of the motors to save battery juice, and you'll also be able to use full power when you want.

4. The range

Porsche is aiming at 500 kilometers on the notoriously optimistic New European Driving Cycle, which works out to 310 miles. Real-world mileage will vary, of course, depending on driving conditions, but we expect it to land a bit south of the nominal 310-mile figure -- perhaps around 250 miles -- judging by how the NEDC driving cycle usually translates to EPA figures.

5. Fast charging

Porsche says that owner will be able to juice the Taycan up to 80 percent in just 15 minutes with an 800-volt charger; this works out to 250 miles if we take the 310-mile range at face value ... and if you can find an 800-volt charger.

"Our new electric sports car is strong and dependable; it’s a vehicle that can consistently cover long distances and that epitomizes freedom," Oliver Blume, chairman of Porsche AG’s executive board said this year.

6. The soundtrack

Since the Taycan will be an EV, its powertrain won't really generate a sound aside from tire and wind noise. But it will have some sort of artificially generated noise like many other EVs, as Porsche has hinted, that will be audible to those outside. We won't keep our fingers crossed in hopes of hearing a flat-six howl; the current repertoire of EV sounds leans toward electric hums that sound like "Star Trek: The Original Series" props.

7. Cross Turismo

Porsche has confirmed that the Taycan will also spawn a wagon-like crossover nicely (and closely) previewed by the Mission E Cross Turismo concept. Expect to see a five-door body style with a rear hatch and a raised ride height in addition to a revised suspension. The final product will still need to differentiate itself a bit from the Panamera Sport Turismo and Macan, so expect something akin to a raised station wagon.

"The key for the Panamera Sport Turismo was versatility. In the case of the Mission E Cross Turismo, the focus was more on this combination of different vehicle characteristics,” Porsche chief designer Michael Mauer told Automotive News Europe earlier this year. "Take this car in the morning to the meeting in the city, and in the evening, you go to your chalet in the Swiss mountains."

We'll have more details on the Porsche Taycan as we get them, and we'll also bring you a first drive of Porsche's EV soon.

We grab the wheel of the plug-in five-door wagon/SUV and walk away impressed

Just three months after the Mission E Cross Turismo wowed the press at the 2018 Geneva auto show, Porsche rolled out the concept car for its first test on real roads, in real traffic—even if only as silent meat in a highway patrol car sandwich.

In contrast to other design exercises, which can be moved but are rarely properly driven, the Mission E Cross Turismo is a real runner. In fact, there are already over 100 Cross Turismo prototypes racking up test miles on all five continents—one of which, a crowd-stopper with matte blue alloys, neo off-road livery, and a semi-transparent roof was put aside for our use.

Despite promising stats that it’s intended to be a proper Tesla Model X rival, we go easy on the hand-built multi-million-dollar one-off. That’s easy as in under five seconds from 0-60 mph—no full-throttle hooliganism—and cornering at three-fifths as a tribute to the soft-compound 275/40 R20 General Grabber off-road tires.

The man in the passenger seat introduces himself as Stefan Weckbach, head of Porsche’s global electrification efforts. “One motor up front, one motor in the back, all-wheel drive, underfloor battery pack—all that is already quite close to the final configuration. Still missing are the air suspension and rear-wheel steering. Also conspicuous by its absence is the sound generator that mimics a switchable exhaust. Don’t laugh—listen to it! At this early stage in the development process, we’re of course not yet running on maximum power and torque,” he explains.

To protect the pre-production componentry, first gear is bypassed, so we’re in second at all times, including take-off. Instead of the promised 590 hp, only about 450 hp can be used. There is torque vectoring is by all-wheel drive, brake actuation, and an optional electronically controlled limited-slip rear differential. In combination with the low center of gravity, which beats any 911, and near-perfect weight distribution, this car is as firmly planted as a rare-earth magnet on steel, even at speed.

“Yes, we are indeed working on the E Cross with volume production in mind,” admits the wiry project leader. “But so far, there has not been an official go-ahead.” According to the supplier community, the Cross Turismo will go on sale in late 2021, though the design was allegedly frozen in 2017, together with that of the Taycan—the car formerly known as the Mission E—with which it shares much of its hardware.

Porsche’s second BEV is a good looking car—one-third Macan, one-third Panamera Sport Turismo, one-third all-new. Having said that, the mixed response to the design exercise, especially from North-America, suggests that the number one market would prefer a more rugged, SUV-like appearance. This is going to be difficult to achieve. At 55.9 inches high, the Mission E Cross Turismo is as low as a Panamera; at 78.3 inches, its width shouts overtaking prestige rather than off-road ability; and even the increased ride height and loud go-anywhere body kit don’t do much to change the proportions.

Up in the hills above Malibu, on the winding backroads that connect one canyon to the next, other traits are more important. Take for instance the electrically assisted steering, which is true to Porsche’s reputation in terms of weight, damping, precision, speed, and turning circle. Praise is also due to the complex deceleration apparatus, which blends conventional (or, for a price, carbon ceramic) brakes with a single-speed recuperation device. Why not install a three-step system to warrant that one-pedal driving style everyone is talking about? “Because one pedal is not our philosophy,” quips Weckbach. “This is a proper sports car, and as such its mission is untamed acceleration and instant torque, not lift-off braking.”

Flooring the throttle in this car flattens any hill. Give it stick, and the Mission E Cross Turismo feels like a winch-powered glider before letting go of the tow hook, a videogame racer in full attack mode, a monorail thundering through the esses. Physical, immediate, awe-inspiring—and somewhat unsettling to novices who tend to flinch when the electric motors deliver their mighty shove in full force. There is no doubt about it: we are still a long way from fully recalibrating to electric cars, their mind-boggling on-ramp performance (one rocket per green light, please), their coasting efficiency, their super-physical overtaking ability. True, you can still hear the wind, the squealing tires, the movement of the suspension, and the occasionally grating brakes. The batteries, the transmissions, and the motors, on the other hand, are all but noiseless—it’s like touchscreen versus keyboard, clean air versus smog. For one precious moment, high-end BEVs like this seem to harbor only assets and virtues, no downsides and drawbacks. Is that what enthusiasm does to one’s judgment?

At 194.8 inches long, the Mission E Cross Turismo is anything but a small vehicle. Inside, however, it’s a tight fit. Despite the “foot garages”—transverse troughs in the front and rear floorpan intended to make room for those inconvenient bits at the ends of your legs—this four-seater feels more Panamera Junior than Macan. There is just about enough front legroom, and while headroom is compromised by the low flying roof, shoulder-room is trimmed by the tapered greenhouse.

Due to the 911-inspired coupe shape, it takes a shorter adult or teenager to fully appreciate the accommodation in the back. The seats are a bit like those designer chairs installed in certain first class airline lounges: stylish, beautifully trimmed, and nicely made, but the backrests are too short, the padding is economy-class thin, and lateral support is more in the eye than in the back of the beholder. The three-quarter visibility from the driver’s seat triggers the usual guessing game, the boot is long and wide but not very deep, and access to the second row would have been so much easier through the rear suicide doors of the Mission E concept that were shot down by management for the production-intent vehicle.

While the latest Cayenne and Panamera pushed ergonomic complexity to new extremes with the new touch-centric interface, the Mission E Cross Turismo partially pursues a less-is-more philosophy. Why only partially? Because the center stack is again a distracting touch-zoom-push-slide affair, the center display above it continues to be filled with a bunch of swipe-away graphical tiles, and the very same layout is duplicated on the passenger side.

The neatest part of the new instrument panel is without a doubt the lozenge-shaped main readout, which has obviously been inspired by the set of dials in the very first 911. Together with the optional head-up display, it tells you everything you need to know, even though the digital speedometer should be about three times bigger. Instead of the trademark rev counter, the center of attention is now a combined state-of-charge and range readout. Riding the steering wheel are numerous buttons and thumbwheels, as well as a contrasting, race-inspired center marker.

Looking for the ignition or starter button? Don’t bother, they’re not there. Instead, there is now a small touch-sensitive area to the left of the steering column that sets things in motion while adhering to Porsche’s Le Mans-inspired tradition. Since the shift lever was moved to the two o’clock position behind the steering-wheel, the center console is now big enough for six cupholders or two smartphone chargers.

Labelled PRND, the gear selector is operated by the driver´s right index finger. Sounds boring, but the menu can be spiced up by selecting one of five modes, labeled Normal, Range, Sport, Sport Plus, and Individual. Waiting in the wings but not yet confirmed modes are Eco, Wet, and Off-road. Normal is all about lift-off coasting; Sport and Sport Plus are relatively close together; Range does its best to squash anxiety; Individual lets you tweak suspension, steering, stability control, drivetrain, and soundtrack to your personal preferences.

“With the new infotainment system, we have digitally remastered Porsche´s genetic code,” states a proud Stefan Weckbach. “When the driver switches mentally to autopilot, only the bare essentials are on display. As soon as he is back in sports car mode, however, the environment will automatically switch to dynamic.”

Find an 800-volt charge station (good luck—there aren’t any yet), and it only takes 15 minutes to refill the Cross Turismo’s energy cells to the brim. Settle for 400 volts (difficult enough to find outside of the Tesla ecosystem), and don´t forget to order a nice steak frite to kill the next 40 minutes. Hook the car up to any old 220-volt (110 volts in the U.S.) socket, and be prepared to take a 30-hour sabbatical. Although cordless inductive charging is on the table as a possible option, most will probably be topped-up at home by a Porsche wallbox. Extrovert trendsetters are invited to order the power-operated charge door, which puts on a show by quietly disappearing beneath the front wing.

“A plug-in Porsche must drive and perform like a Porsche fitted with a combustion engine,” says Weckbach. “It must sustain long flat-out autobahn stints without overheating. Repeatability is key when it comes to full-throttle acceleration. The main dynamic parameters have to remain intact through the entire battery charge span. Only when the warning light comes on, under certain conditions performance may be compromised for range.”

It seems safe to expect at least 250 miles between recharging stops in European WLTP-spec terms, which might translate to about 230 miles in EPA testing. Even though it is theoretically possible to free an extra 20 miles of range via an over-the-air command, eventually the moment will come when empty simply means no more go. While electricity is at this point notably cheaper than fossil fuels, the asking price for the Cross Turismo won’t differ much from the Panamera Sport Turismo: The base Cross Turismo should come in just under $100,000 while the range-topping Turbo is expected to cost well over $150,000. Early adopters better be rich.