In 2018, Porsche built a replica of its first 356 sports car to mark the 70th anniversary of its registration. The humble first 356, known as the No. 1, was the beginning of a sports car legacy that continues to this day.
For this year’s 75th anniversary, Porsche has once again looked back at the 356, this time imagining what the sprightly sports car might look like when it hits the market today. The result is the Porsche Vision 357 study presented on Wednesday.
Porsche Vision 357 concept
Porsche Vision 357 concept
Of course, there are several nods to the 356 in the design of the concept. These include the grille pattern on the rear, the design of the headlights and the center-locking carbon hubcaps, reminiscent of the unusually large bolt circle wheels found on the 356 A and 356 B became.
The concept is based on the platform of the 718 Cayman GT4 RS, i.e. it is powered by a 4.0-liter boxer engine with a mid-engine that delivers a maximum of 493 hp. An ‘eFuel’ logo indicates that the concept has been designed to run on Porsche’s carbon-neutral synthetic fuel, which recently started production at a pilot plant in Chile.
As a further sign of sustainability, the concept also relies on natural fiber-reinforced plastic made from flax fibers.
Porsche Vision 357 concept
While the Vision 357 is unlikely to go into production, Porsche design chief Michael Mauer hinted that elements of the car could preview future design themes for Porsche.
“The concept car is an attempt to combine past, present and future with coherence, with proportions reminiscent of its historical counterpart and details that visualize the prospects for the future,” he said in a statement.
The Vision 357 is the highlight of a special exhibition marking Porsche’s 75th anniversary. The exhibition runs at the Volkswagen Group’s Drive Forum in Berlin and is open to the public from January 27th. The Porsche concept will be on display there until mid-February.
