Vision 357 a nod to past, present and future

PORSCHE is celebrating 75 years since the arrival of the first automobile to bear its name – the Porsche 356 No. 1 Roadster – with a stunning and modern reinterpretation named the Vision 357 concept.

In the anniversary year of the 356, the Vision 357 details what Porsche is calling its “future design philosophy”, an ethos it says is both progressive and visionary in the way it points to the styling of future models, and a clever interplay between tradition and innovation.

Built on the same underpinnings as the 718 Cayman GT4 RS, the Vision 357 is said to offer “outstanding sportscar performance”, and like its derivative features air intakes positioned high behind the driver- and passenger-side windows, which designers adorned with comic-style “Air” decals.

Like the “eFuel” logo on the filler cap on the car’s wing, the decals are said to be reminiscent of motorsport decals.

The Vision 357 features the same 4.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine found in the donor car, and “theoretically” offers the same 368kW output, Porsche says.

Stylistically, the narrow passenger cell of the 356 is recalled with a familiar, abruptly sloping flyline and broad shoulders.

The windscreen sharply wraps around the A pillars, the blackened daylight opening graphics said to resemble the visor of a racing helmet. Instead of traditional wing mirrors, the Vision 357 uses small cameras mounted on the edge of the roof.

“We created a very special birthday present in the form of the Porsche Vision 357, one which uses the 356 as a basis to underscore the significance of our design DNA,” explained Style Porsche vice president Michael Mauer.

Concealed door handles and taillights are another nod to the original, as is the patterned mesh used in the rear grille (in which the third brake light is integrated).

Like all current Porsche models, the Vision 357 features a four-point lighting signature within its round headlights – another throwback to the classic 356.

A wide track and 20-inch centre-lock magnesium wheels lend the Vision 357 an athletic stance, the lightweight rims with carbon-fibre hubcaps to recall the 356 A and 356 B once more.

“The design study is an attempt to combine the past, present and future with coherency, featuring proportions that are reminiscent of its historical archetype and details that visualise the outlook for the future,” said Mr Mauer

The visible tailpipe trim in the rear is made of a blue-tinged titanium, while the inside of the pipe is ceramic.

Porsche says there are further parallels to the 356 in the colour chosen to adorn its homage model. The two-tone grey paintwork combines Ice Grey Metallic over Grivola Grey Metallic in a style popular in the early 1950s.

Additional sporty details include the “75” anniversary logo on the doors and bonnet – itself a jointless design that is fastened with quick-release mechanisms adopted from the motorsport realm. Threaded rods stabilise the large front spoiler, while on the sills, designers used natural fibre reinforced plastic (NFRP) like that found on the Porsche Mission R.

“Thinking out loud about the future is one of the core missions of Style Porsche,” said Mr Mauer.

“We are perpetually on the conceptual journey into the future of mobility. Time and again, the brand's history serves as a source of inspiration. Taking a look back at our tradition with a future concept car is not as paradoxical as it might seem.

“Creative freedom is also important: this is where valuable ideas can emerge unfettered, one that help us imagine our consistent design philosophy in innovative new directions.”

The Porsche Vision 357 will tour the globe in 2023 as part of Porsche’s 75th anniversary celebrations.