At the Volkswagen Group “Drive” Forum in Berlin, Porsche unveiled a radical throwback concept car to celebrate the birth of its sports car legacy. This concept car is called the Porsche Vision 357 and it is a rolling homage to the Porsche 356, which began production in 1948. However, more than a tribute, this concept car signifies where Porsche stands regarding the internal combustion engine.
Underneath the Porsche Vision 357 bodywork is the DNA from the latest 718 Cayman GT4 RS with a 4.0-liter flat-six producing a satisfying 493 horsepower. Unlike the original rear-engine Porsche 356, the Vision 357 concept car is mid-engine. In addition, the concept car promotes Porsche’s vision for a future of synthetic fuels, suggested by the “eFuel” logo decal on its gas cap.
At first glance, the Porsche Vision 357 hints at a late-model Volkswagen Beetle silhouette. However, once your eyes focus, you immediately see the car’s family resemblance to the Porsche 356. From its squat stance, bubble-soft curves, and headlights that seem to blend into the bodywork like a mask, represented only by a series of dots. Other design callbacks to the Porsche 356 feature tucked door handles near the side windows and brake lights integrated into the rear grille that stretches from the back window to the diffuser.
The Porsche Vision 357 sits on 20-inch magnesium wheels with carbon-fiber hubcaps. One playful detail on the concept car is a small Tyrannosaurus rex decal. This decal represents an inside joke from the designers who referenced that creating a gas-powered concept car in 2023 made them see the project as a “dinosaur.”
Nevertheless, Porsche’s vision for the future is not solely run on batteries. As the legacy of its first recreation lives in the Porsche Vision 357, so will its fire-breathing engines that earned the brand’s reputation for performance, quality, and fun.
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