These never-seen-before Porsche concepts are exquisite
Ever wonder about the wonderful machines that never break out of the design studios of our favourite manufacturers? It’s one of the most secretive parts of the car industry but Porsche is now giving us an unprecedented look at some of its concepts that never made the cut with Porsche Unseen. These include a Safari 911, a new-generation 904 and even a road version of the Le Mans-winning 919 Hybrid LMP1 prototype. These are among 15 different cars that are in the new Porsche Unseen book.
Let’s start with what is probably the coolest car from the selection, in our view at least. The so-called ‘919 Street’ of 2017. It’s very recognisably a relation of the Le Mans-winning prototype that’s about as far from road use as you can get this side of Formula 1. For good reason, too. The Street uses the same wheelbase, dimensions and theoretically, the same 900PS hybrid powertrain. Of course it’s shed a lot of the racer’s aero frippery and more form-over-function challenging aesthetics for a curvier, more recognisably Porsche-ish look.
We reckon it’s absolutely stunning and honestly, it’s a genuine shame it never came to fruition. Truthfully, if it does use a lot of 919-donated bits, that was probably never on the cards, given road homologation was never considered in the development of any LMP1 car. Sigh.
Next up we have the rather odd Porsche Vision Spyder, from 2019. Let’s call it a Boxster from a decade and a half in the future, shall we? Indeed, Porsche reckons the Vision Spyder was “intended to further develop the design identity” of the brand and “provide a pool of ideas for future details” citing the “ultra-modern roll bar” as an example. It’s a curious one, trading distinctively Porsche curves for a more angular look. The car is designed to call to mind the 550-1500 RS Spyder from 1954, with its red highlighting and ‘Little Rebel’ scripture.
Finally, Porsche highlights the vision “Renndienst” which is, affectionately, a van. Futuristic and Porsche-ish though it is, the 2018 study calls back to the Porsche parts-carrying VW Bus with ‘Rennsport’, Porsche and the crest emblazoned on the side. We’ve linked below some of the other cars as highlighted on Instagram by Mitja Borkert, formerly of Porsche, now designing at Lamborghini. Take a look, that is if you’re done drooling over the 919 Street…
Porsche 904 Concept
Safari 911 Concept
Porsche 917 Concept
Macan Cross Concept
960 Turismo Concept
Porsche
919 Hybrid
Concepts
