Porsche has taken off three concept cars that have remained behind the scenes until now. It is a van, an LMP1 racer for amateur drivers and a retro 550 Spyder.
Porsche thinks it is high time to publicly show a series of hitherto secret study models from the past. That is why an exhibition will open next year in the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart, where it will show no fewer than 15 of these hitherto ‘hidden’ concept cars. These are study models from the period 2005 to 2019. Although the brand is still keeping a secret of what will be on display, it is kind enough to share three of these concept cars with the world. The colorful trio promises what else comes from behind closed doors.
Porsche Vision Renndienst (2018)
Maybe you think differently, but this is the most striking of the three. The Vision Renndienst is a real Porsche passenger van. When the brand came up with the Cayenne, the world was already quite upside down, but what if it even came with such a van? It looks special and with a little imagination we can see some Volkswagen T1 influences. It is not without reason that Porsche is putting the Vision Renndienst next to a T1 Renndienst, a van that in the past had the tools for Porsche racing teams on board. The concept car is fully electric and, according to Porsche, showed that characteristic Porsche features could also be incorporated in this segment unknown to the brand. It also applies to this study model: the fact that it was not immediately shown at the time does not necessarily mean that the idea has completely disappeared in the trash. Will there be a Porsche van eventually? Never say never!
Porsche 919 Street (2017)
With the Porsche 919 Hybrid, the German brand was able to achieve enormous successes in racing. The brand took the victory in the 24 hours of Le Mans no less than three times. In 2015, 2016 and 2017 it was also the car that won the Porsche constructors’ championship in the WEC. A total of 17 races were won with this LMP1 car. After its racing career, the 919 was taken out of the stable and made as soon as possible outside the FIA ​​regulations. This resulted in the fastest lap ever on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife. However, that was not the only special project around the 919 after its racing years. Behind the scenes a version of the 919 was being prepared for (undoubtedly wealthy) amateur drivers. It was called ‘919 Street’. It had the same 900 hp hybrid powertrain and – judging from the photos – seemed ready for it. In the end it remained with this clay study model. Maybe it was a bit too small a target group to actually build it.
Porsche Vision Spyder (2019)
Slightly less extreme but just as interesting is this Vision Spyder from last year. A very recently developed concept car of which you may wonder why Porsche is only now sharing it with the general public. Porsche itself says that the Vision Spyder should evoke memories of the 550 1500 RS Spyder from 1954 and we understand why. With some imagination we also see 914 influences in it. According to Porsche, the goal of the Vision Spyder was to ‘develop ideas for the future’ and the roll-bar on the Vision Spyder was part of that. The special two-seater was also an ‘identity study’ for the brand. So do not be surprised if elements of it eventually appear in production form.