Porsche 917 Living Legend
If the Porsche 917 Living Legend looks familiar, then that’s because it is. Although it dates back to 2013, the 917 Living Legend finally got its time in
the limelight in 2019 as part of the Porsche Museum’s Colours of Speed exhibition. Despite it only being a full-size clay model, the 917 Living Legend
theoretically shares its mechanical bits with the limited-run 918 Spyder gasoline-electric hybrid supercar.
As its name implies, the 917 Living Legend cribs its styling cues from the Porsche 917 of the early 1970s. The result is a closed-topped supercar
that combines the essential design philosophy of the 918 Spyder with the low-slung proportions of Porsche’s famous Le Mans–winning race car.Talk about an answer to a question no one asked. Meet the
Porsche Vision Race Ser vice van. That’s right, van. This
concept from 2018 pays homage to the Volkswagen vans of
Porsche’s past, which the automaker used as support vehi-
cles for its racing efforts. The Vision Race Service, however,
adapts to the needs of 21st century drivers. Whereas the
V W vans of yore employed a rear-mounted four-cylinder
engine for motivation, the Vision Race Service relies on a
battery electric powertrain.
Well, that’s if Porsche actually fit a powertrain to this
full-size model. Nevertheless, the automaker includes
provisions for the likes of a battery pack mounted under the
floor of the Vision Race Service. That ought to benefit the van’s center
of gravity and limit lateral body motions when exercising the grip of its
22-inch Continental ContiSportContact 6 tires.
With its centrally mounted driver’s position, large windshield, and stubby
nose, the Vision Race Van offers clear views of the road ahead and any
apexes it may encounter along the way. Just remember to cool off the
antics while passengers lounge in the back seats. After all, although the
Vision Race Service is a Porsche, it’s still a van.Porsche Vision Race Service
Porsche Vision 916
Even the most junior members of the Porsche design team
contribute to design ideas. For instance, the spunk y-looking
Porsche Vision 916 from 2016 is the work of an intern.
The full-size model is a modern-day interpretation of the Porsche
916 prototype of the early 1970s. Whereas its spiritual forebear relied
on an internal combustion engine for motivation, the Vision 916 relies
on a battery electric powertrain. Well, in theory. Given the Vision 916
is merely a full-size model, it lacks any formal running gear.
That said, the little concept aims to toss out the typical axle-
mounted electric motors of most modern electric vehicles for wheel
hub–mounted motors at each corner—a nod to the all-wheel-drive
Lohner-Porsche of 1900 and its wheel hub–mounted electric motors.
Porsche Vision E
Although Porsche no longer competes in the prototype class at Le Mans,
it’s still an active participant in motorsports, including Formula E racing.
Thus, the Porsche Vision E envisions a future electric racer from the brand.
Unlike the open-cockpit Porsche 99x Electric Formula E racer, the
single-seat Vision E features a full canopy around the driver. Presumably,
though, this 2019 concept uses the same 335-hp powertrain and 52-kWh
battery pack as the 99x.
We wager the Vision E makes sense as an alternative to vehicles such
as the Ariel Atom and Caterham Seven, as well. With the right modifica-
tions and price, a street-legal Vision E might just serve as the perfect tool
for driving enthusiasts with an interest in battery electric powertrains.Porsche Boxster Bergspyder
Like the 917 Living Legend, the salaciously styled Porsche Boxster
Bergspyder entered the public eye in 2019—nearly five years after the
design team completed its work on this running prototype.
The German automaker unveiled the Boxster Bergspyder
at the Gaisberg Hill Climb. No surprise, really, given the
concept’s spiritual ancestors: the Porsche 909 and 910
Bergspyder hill climb racers of yore. With a helmet
shelf in place of a passenger’s seat, the single-seat
Boxster Bergspyder’s stunning looks are second only
to its dynamic capabilities. Credit the combination
of its nearly 400-hp Cayman GT4–sourced flat-six
engine and sub-2,500-pound curb weight. With only a
small windscreen and no formal roof, the Bergspyder surely offers a
behind-the-wheel experience unlike any Boxster before—or after—it.