Porsche Mission E could be the game changer for Electric Sports car

Over the last year, Porsche continually hinted at their latest project rivaling Tesla's Model S as the premier electric sports vehicle. Thanks to some new specs surfacing from a recent leak, the world now has some specific points of comparison.

The Mission E is set to come in three models, all ranging in horsepower with a max offering of 670 horsepower. The top model can go 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds. This is a second slower than Tesla's Model S P100D which can hit that speed in just 2.5 seconds. The top Mission E model will also hit 155 mph as its maximum speed.

Some of the most impressive specs come from its four-wheel-drive module. Automobile Magazine's Georg Kacher detailed more of the handling while on the track:

"The front-wheel-drive module reportedly delivers 160 kW/215 hp at 16,000 rpm with a constant peak torque of 221 lb-ft. At full boost, Porsche can briefly claim some 325 lb-ft. There are two different specifications in the works for the rear-drive unit. While the base motor is rated at 240 kW/322 hp and 251 lb-ft, the performance version is good for 320 kW/429 hp and 406 lb-ft, sources say. The two-speed transmission is being developed to allow for full-throttle upshifts, and an electronically controlled limited-slip rear differential will be an option."

But how does it stack up as an electric vehicle and not just a sports car? Reports say that the Mission E will be able to drive up to 310 miles on a single charge. This outperforms the Tesla Model S and its 294 miles per charge. Charging is also relatively fast, even when compared to Tesla's charging units. The Mission E can reach 80 percent of its battery capacity after charging for just 15 minutes. The Mission E also offers up multiple ways to charge the vehicle thanks to a new charging base.

For the engineers behind the car, balancing performance with electric efficiency was a challenge, but it was one they were willing to take on.

In an interview with Express, Mitja Borkert, Porsche's Director of Exterior Design, said, "This concept was a truly fantastic challenge for us, because it's our first electric sports car."

The actual interior of the car boasts a sleek, minimalist design and responsive features. For example, reports mentioned that the Mission E can even track a driver's eyes and readjust the dashboard to emphasize what a driver wants to see.

The Mission E is also set to start at $75,000 to US$85,000 range; that's roughly $10,000 less than what the company had originally expected as it's intended as a rival to Tesla's Model S.

Michael Mauer Director of Style for Porsche said, "This is Porsche's answer to questions about the future of electric mobility -- our Porsche Mission E."

Oh, and one more clever feature noted in the Mission E? A lap timer -- just in case you ever forget you're driving a sportscar.

"Why not?" project engineer Michael Behr said in an interview with Automobile Mag. "This car is smog-free but is also a hoot to drive thanks to the low center of gravity, the dedicated air suspension, and the precise steering. Make no mistake: This is a proper Porsche through and through."