When an electric-powered car wears a Porsche badge, you expect performance, and that’s what this four-seat wagon concept will deliver—if it reaches an assembly line. A surprise debut at the 2018 Geneva auto show, the Mission E Cross Turismo is a variation on Porsche’s Mission E fastback sedan. The sedan made its show debut at Frankfurt in 2015, and Porsche projects a production start-up sometime in 2019.
Sleek and stylish, the Mission E Cross Turismo is reminiscent of the Porsche Macan, although on a somewhat larger scale. At 194 inches overall, it’s longer than the Porsche Cayenne, although at 56 inches its roof is no higher than that of many sedans. Porsche characterizes the concept as a CUV—Cross Utility Vehicle—but in fact its dimensions are more consistent with a wagon.
However, the key element in the concept is performance. A pair of synchronous electric motors give the E Cross Turismo all-wheel drive, and can put over 600 horsepower on the pavement. Porsche claims that’s enough to propel the wagon to 100 kilometers per hour (62 mph) in under 3.5 seconds and to 200 km/h (124 mph) in less than 12 seconds.
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The drive system also incorporates torque vectoring, and Porsche says the car can make repeated full-tilt sprints without significant diminution of electric output from its lithium-ion battery pack. Why this would be a benefit anywhere other than a drag strip isn’t clear.
Quick charging
Porsche refrained from specifics about the kilowatt hour capacity of the battery pack, as well as maximum range per charge. But the company does claim that with an 800-volt fast-charging system the battery pack can regain up to 200 miles of range in just 15 minutes. Should the E Cross Turismo actually be produced, an induction charging system and/or ordinary household current plug-in would also be available. Presumably, this would also apply to the sedan version.
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In addition to all-wheel drive, the concept’s pneumatic suspension is able to add two inches to the ride height, for mild off-pavement use, thus justifying the “Cross” designation. The suspension is augmented by Porsche’s Dynamic Chassis Control system, combating body roll in hard cornering, as well as steering at both ends of the car.
Sci Fi features
Considered as an overall concept, the E Cross Turismo seems to have a better than even chance of achieving production status, given Porsche’s commitment to the E Cross sedan. But there are elements of the show car that are unlikely to reach showrooms. For example, the large central touch screen is augmented by several small touch screens scattered around the roomy cabin to operate windows, provide seat adjustment, and control the aim of HVAC vents.
A more Sci Fi interior feature is eye tracking. A camera monitors what driver and front passenger are looking at, and can control some interior functions accordingly. Presumably it’s also programmed to make sure the driver is paying attention. How an owner would feel about this constant, and possibly judgmental, surveillance is unknown. But it’s a question that Porschephiles are unlikely to confront very soon.
