Concept Porsche Vision 357

[Tourbillon]

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The Porsche Vision 357 is a stunning 493bhp tribute to the original 356!

The Porsche Vision 357 is a stunning 493bhp tribute to the original 356

Porsche says this 718 GT4 RS-based concept has proportions that are very "close to reality". Just build it, please

www.topgear.com

Porsche says this 718 GT4 RS-based concept has proportions that are very "close to reality". Just build it, please!

Porsche must have registered the number 357 but has never used it. Until now. This is the Vision 357, the latest in a long line of Porsche concepts, this one powerfully invoking the memory of the 356/1 Roadster. That, fact fans, was the first production car to bear the Porsche name, the model that kick-started the whole adventure on 8 June 1948, 75 years ago.

So what is it exactly? It’s primarily Porsche’s birthday present to itself as this important year gets under way. Vision 357 is a mercifully compact, beautifully proportioned little coupe that swerves the retro thing by taking modish design tropes like reductionism and stirring in some emotive historic references. Kind of old and new at the same time and yet neither. Or, as Porsche says, "it’s a look back at the conceptual journey to the future". Huh?

If you’ve read the book Porsche Unseen, you’ll already know that the company’s design team are also knowledgeable historians. Design head (and new VW Group design boss) Michael Mauer is clear about how this works in Weissach. "Would it better to have a clean sheet and not have any restrictions? No. History gives us orientation… I’d compare it to a compass. It also gives you a brand that stands for certain values. It would be stupid not to build on this, but you have to find the right balance between tradition and innovation, otherwise you won’t be successful in the future."

There are a few other important things to note here. Peel away that impressively disciplined body and you’ll find the chassis and powertrain of the 718 Cayman GT4 RS, including its magnificent 4.0-litre, 493bhp, six-cylinder engine. Given that Porsche made 77 units of its 911 GT2 RS-based 935 Moby Dick homage back in 2019, we don’t think it’s lunacy to suggest that this one could be headed in the same direction. Porsche has also re-issued images of the 2018 Renndienst concept – it means ‘Racing Service’ – which you may remember played with the idea of a Porsche people carrier and the ‘spatial experience’. It had a central driving seat. Now it’s presented here towing the Vision 357. Stop toying with us, please, and just build them."

Continues on in the link. I Love it!

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[Centurion]

Cool at first glance but on reflection the bulky rear end will age poorly like a PT cruiser or Prowler.

Forgive me for spamming this thread with eye sore.

 

[Merc1]

The Porsche faithful are already lining up for this just in case........

M

 

[klier]

Ewwwww

Nope.

 

[klugscheisser87]

That rear is gorgeaus!

Great that Porsche finally gives tribute to the 356 which was born from VW Beetle.

The 356 is already a religion for Porsche lovers, but was kinda avoided by Porsche to bring it to life in any vision.

The 911 went more independent way, even though the Beetle DNA is undeniable.

 

[klier]

After a second look make my nope a YES please.

LOL

 

[martinbo]

I'd be very surprised if they actually made it.

 

[Tourbillon]

I'd be very surprised if they actually made it.

Well it's based on the GT4RS which simplifies things massively. Obviously time will tell but it'd make financial sense. I think, absolutely.

 

[martinbo]

Well it's based on the GT4RS which simplifies things massively. Obviously time will tell but it'd make financial sense. I think, absolutely.

To me, it's clearly just a concept car. Underpinnings aside, a market-viable production version will be significantly watered-down from this in order to be homologated for road use.

 

[Tourbillon]

To me, it's clearly just a concept car. Underpinnings aside, a market-viable production version will be significantly watered-down from this in order to be homologated for road use.

And there's that word. Oh I've been studying and I'm no stranger to technically written papers and trying to decipher what IS or isn't road legal in which market is too complex. I'm not disagreeing but even if it's watered down I think people would welcome it. I guess that's and as much as I can say, except if anyone can do it, it's Porsche.

 

[klier]

And there's that word

What word?
study a bit harder because this is not anywhere near possible production

 

[Tourbillon]

What word?

Homologation, specifically what did you think? And I never said it was "near production".

I SAID~

Quote> "I'm not disagreeing but even if it's watered down I think people would welcome it."

Further>"as much as I can say, except if anyone can do it, it's Porsche."

And>"Well it's based on the GT4RS which simplifies things massively."~Fact.

 

[Matski]

As the article points out 935 went on sale despite not being road legal, mind you, that was good looking and was made eligible for racing. I'm sure if Porsche knocked out 75 units of this they'd all find a home, road legal or not.

 

[Tourbillon]

As the article points out 935 went on sale despite not being road legal, mind you, that was good looking and was made eligible for racing. I'm sure if Porsche knocked out 75 units of this they'd all find a home, road legal or not.

Exactly this who system of road legal and production manufacturing status and limited edition this or that or modified verus street legal will forever rage on.

Actually I was studying the Lotus Evija reference legality in the United States of America (where else?) because it's a Show and Display rules and regulations exempt car but because it has digital rear view internal and external cameras and I think lack of side impact airbag protection~ I believe so anyway, it has drivers and passengers listed.

Lotus won't say anything. Compare that with Rimac Automobili and Automobili Pininfarina. I've known about the former from the get go and the latter was detailed within the last three months and I was shocked at the transparency.

Then I've spotted "issues" in that same locale reference Pagani and another manufacturer that's always shouting about it and Zenvo here in Europe. Anyway too much text apologies. I've studied enough, too much.

 

[martinbo]

If it's watered down, it'll be a pointless exercise in my view. I'm not saying it can't or won't happen.

I'm just of the view that it'll be another waste of precious build slot allocation which ought to be assigned to buyers already waiting for their GT4 RS. It's something I've been saying elsewhere on this forum - I have no love for "special edition" cars which Porsche is needlessly bringing to market whilst delivery of regular models to customers is delayed. GT4 RS being a case in point.

 

[Centurion]

LED tail lights that are flush with the body work are plausible, headlights are not. It would be a good evolution from the current Panamera-style tail lights or Tycan ones that we will see on the next Boxster/Cayman.

 

[dalab]

Forgive me for spamming this thread with eye sore.

No need to apologize, Chrysler's (modern) golden age, who didn't have them in mind, were on everyone's lips, these ones you posted, living alongside the 300, the Crossfire coupe/cabrio, put them on the book cover, what is Chrysler now?
I would not have bought a PT cruiser, but it was nice to see them around, very refreshing, it was a successful time for them

Speaking of Porsche, it's good to finally see something different from the brand, I like it

 

[TopspeedPT]

(render)

 

[martinbo]

render

And quite possibly one of the worst ever. Yassus, Macan taillights just cut & paste? Good grief.

 

[LaArtist]

Brutal, make it. Ill try to buy it