2018 Geneva Auto Show: Porsche Unveils 600-Hp Electric Crossover

Porsche's concept battery-electric crossover marks the beginning of Mission E family of EVs.

March 6, 2018

Bill Visnic

Porsche's Mission E Cross Turismo is the brand's concept vision of a high-performance, fully-electric crossover (image: Porsche).

Although a production version of its battery-electric Mission E concept sedan remains nearly two years away, Porsche unveiled a stunning companion at the 2018 Geneva motor show this week, a crossover-style four-door called Mission E Cross Turismo.

Porsche said the Mission E Cross Turismo's styling evokes that of the classic 911 sportscar (image: Porsche).

The Mission E Cross Turismo combines off-road styling cues with lightweight engineering to satisfy the typically disparate goals of having off-road capability and maximum electric range (image: Porsche).

Interior uses minimalist aesthetic to mimimize weight (image: Porsche).

Lightweight seats designed with integral pass-throughs to enable carrying long cargo (image: Porsche).

The Mission E Cross Turismo, a follow-up to a vehicle still two years from production, is Porsche’s acknowledgement that while a long-range, high-performance electric vehicle is a certain attraction, it’s all the better if it comes wrapped in the crossover body style that’s become immensely popular in almost all major world markets.

All-wheel drive, sustainable performance

Although Porsche released only limited information about the Mission E Cross Turismo—fair enough, as at the time of its Geneva-show unveiling, the company clearly identified the vehicle as a “concept study”—there are some substantive details. Porsche said the driveline is comprised of two permanent-magnet synchronous motors (PSM) that impart all-wheel drive (AWD) and have a system output of “more than” 600 hp (440 kW). The setup also enables Porsche Torque Vectoring to selectively apportion torque to individual wheels.

Porsche claims the Mission E Cross Turismo can accelerate to 100 km/h (62 mph) in less than 3.5 seconds and 124 mph (200 km/h) in less than 12 seconds. Addressing a criticism of the potential for EV power to wane after a limited amount of demand for all-out performance, Porsche said in a release that the Mission E Cross Turismo’s “level of continuous power is unmatched by any other electric vehicle: multiple accelerations are possible in direct succession without loss of performance.”

The Mission E Cross Turismo also features adaptive air suspension that can increase ground clearance by up to 50 mm (2 in), although the crossover’s base ground-clearance figure was not readily available.

Porsche said the electric crossover is 4.95 m (194.4 in) long, just less than 2 m (78.7 in) wide and just 1.42 m (56 in) tall.

High-voltage architecture, inductive-charging capability

The Mission E Cross Turismo showcases an 800-volt electrical architecture and a lithium-ion pack that can be fast-charged in 15 minutes with enough energy for approximately 250 miles (400 km) of range, according to NEDC test cycles, said Porsche in a release, without definitively indicating if the 250-mile figure is the concept crossover’s total range. Where such high levels of presumably direct-current charging will be available to the public remains a sketchy detail, but Porsche said the Mission E Cross Turismo is capable of connecting to the fledgling fast-charging network being developed in Europe “for arterial roads as part of the IONITY joint venture.” Porsche added that the Mission E Cross Turismo is outfitted for induction-type recharging.