2004 Porsche 911 Gt on 2040-cars

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Will the Mission E be the world's first must-have EV?

The Porsche Mission E concept was recently green-lit for production and has a tentative production date just before the end of the decade. With the recent onslaught of all-electric technology, the question remains: Which automaker will release the first must have all-electric EV? Tesla has clearly gained experience in testing the worldwide appetite for luxury, six-figure EVs, having sold its 100,000th vehicle in just three years and six months. But it remains to be seen if automakers can truly manufacture the ultimate green driving machine. Audi has shown its R8 e-tron but acknowledged that it will be produced in only limited quantities. On the other end of the spectrum, vehicles like the Chevy Bolt and BMW i8 are being produced for mass consumption, but will they satisfy the enthusiast who is looking for more than a commuter car? Tesla's Model S has certainly raised eyebrows and collected accolades with "ludicrous" level straight-line performance, but how well will the vehicle stand up to long-term ownership for enthusiasts? Porsche has dismissed any notions of autonomous driving in its vehicles, suggesting that it will try to stay close to its high-performance roots. This would seem to suggest that despite all the forecasted performance cred of the Mission E – 582 horsepower, 0–60 in 3.5 seconds, and a 310-mile range – potential buyers may not be getting the latest and greatest in gee-whiz-bang autonomous technology. And while Porsche has offered that future iterations of its 911 and 718 may in fact use hybrid-assisted drivetrains, the execution of a true, mass-produced, all-electric sports sedan remains to be seen. One thing is for certain, unlike start-ups like Tesla, the larger, more established manufacturers have larger budgets and more time to invest in R&D. Consumers have raised expectations from the more mature automakers in terms of reliability and the overall finish of their products. The arrival of the Mission E production car may introduce us to electric sports sedans that emphasize performance over efficiency while still eliminating its carbon footprint. Related Video: Porsche Electric porsche mission e porsche mission e concept open road

Porsche doesn't think autonomous cars fit brand

Porsche customers have no need to worry because the company has no intention of taking away driver control by introducing autonomous tech for its vehicles. "One wants to drive a Porsche by oneself," company CEO Oliver Blume told a German newspaper, Reuters reports. For the sports car maker, this is a sensible decision, as its owners are driving enthusiasts who desire an exciting experience behind the wheel. Blume also isn't a big fan of people using their phones in the car. "An iPhone belongs in your pocket, not on the road," he told the newspaper. While Blume doesn't like some cutting-edge automotive tech, he's no Luddite. The CEO eventually wants every Porsche to be available with a hybrid powertrain option, including the 911. A plug-in version of the famous sports coupe could be ready by 2018 and have a 31-mile EV range (presumably on the European cycle), according to Reuters. The evidence suggests that Porsche is very serious about electrifying the 911. A company exec admitted the automaker had PHEVs under discussion. Spy shots (above) already showed one testing that possibly had a charger on the passenger side rear fender. The 911 PHEV would also follow logically from Porsche's recent surge to electrify its models. The Panamera and Cayenne already offer plug-in versions, and the 918 Spyder proves the system can perform. Applying that battery knowledge to the 911 is a natural move, especially with the fully electric Mission E taking another technological step forward around 2020. Related Video:

How Porsche got Patrick Dempsey into the driver's seat for Le Mans

How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice. Ask Patrick Dempsey and he'll likely tell you the same secret for landing a role on a hit TV show or, for that matter, driving a Porsche in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
That's because, like McQueen and Newman, Dempsey has earned his place in that rarified field of actors who also race. He's competed in Baja and Grand-Am, co-owns an IndyCar team, and this year returned to Le Mans where he and his teammates Joe Foster and Patrick Long finished fourth in the GTE-Am class behind the wheel of their Porsche 911 RSR.
It's a grueling race, and the fluid transition between drivers behind the wheel is a key element to success. Check out the satirical video below to see how Dempsey and company got ready.