What would Ferdinand Porsche’s sports car look like today? At Porsche they know the answer: it would be like the Porsche Vision 357 Concept. Or what is the same: a modern interpretation of the mythical Porsche 356 whose starting point is the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS. A tribute to the past and a celebration for such a special year for the brand.
In 2023, Porsche celebrates its 75th anniversary and the first celebration comes in the form of a car to honor what was the first model of the house: the Porsche 356. It was presented to the world in 1948 and was a success because it put the Germans on the motor world map. Many years later it is still a source of inspiration and in Stuttgart they have seen fit to honor the past by reinterpreting this vehicle in the modern era.
The result has been the Porsche Vision 357 Concept, a combination of the past, present and future. It sports two-tone tinted bodywork: Ice Gray Metallic for most of the surface and Grivola Gray Metallic to accent the front bumper. The details come from the hand of the stickers that adorn the hood, the doors or the front.
Winks at the Porsche 356
The first units of the Porsche 356 had a split windshield, which they have not reproduced on this occasion: what they have achieved is to give the Porsche Vision 357 an enveloping front window like the first German model, which is attached to the windows through discreet black A-pillars. Round headlights up front nod to the 356, as does the pattern on the rear grille with integrated third brake light.
Porsche has also added a remarkable dose of modern touches to the Porsche Vision 357. Both in the front and in the rear, the headlights are hidden behind some perforations made in the body, although it is on the side where a good part of the novelties are concentrated.
The integrated air intakes, located behind the side windows, and the sills they are made of the same natural fiber reinforced plastic (NFRP) as the Porsche Mission R. Handles are hidden in those windows, cameras replace traditional side mirrors, and 20-inch wheels are made of magnesium to save weight and provide more rigidity than stock.
A design exercise
The Porsche Vision 357 is also more powerful than the Porsche 356. As we said before, its starting point is the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS, so it is equipped with the same mechanical scheme: a 4.0-liter six-cylinder naturally aspirated engine, which develops 493 hp and has a maximum torque of 449 Nm. Porsche claims that it would be prepared to run on synthetic fuel.
We speak conditionally because in Stuttgart they have no intention of bringing the Porsche Vision 357 into production. Not surprisingly, it is only an exterior design: the reinterpretation does not reach the passenger compartment. It is part of an exhibition that reviews the 75 years of Porsche sports cars and will be on display at the Volkswagen Group Drive Forum… although we may see it at other international events throughout the year.
