Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 ePerformance puts Mission R into real-world track testing

Porsche has begun real-world testing of technology from its Mission R electrical race automobile idea in a Cayman-based prototype.

The Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 ePerformance combines the physique shell from the 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport racer with the Mission R’s powertrain and battery tech, Porsche defined Monday in a press launch.

That means the Cayman GT4 ePerformance has an electrical motor powering every axle, with the identical 1,073-hp most output because the Mission R. However, engineers plan to dial that again a bit for many use circumstances. Porsche says the electrical Cayman produces 985 hp in simulated qualifying trim, and 603 hp in simulated race trim.

At the decrease race energy degree, the automobile has sufficient battery cost to run for half-hour, the identical size as a Carrera Cup race, Porsche claims. The automaker additionally says the Cayman GT4 ePerformance can match a present 911 GT3 Cup automobile in lap instances and velocity.

An oil-cooling system for the battery pack and motors helps deal with heat-related efficiency losses so energy stays fixed for the focused half-hour racing stint, in keeping with Porsche. When it is time to recharge, a 900-volt electrical structure permits for a 5% to 80% cost in about quarter-hour, the automaker claims.

A design group led by Grant Larson—designer of the unique Porsche Boxster idea—additionally made some adjustments to the bodywork. The electrical racer is 5.5 inches wider than a regular 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport, due to wider fender flares that cover 18-inch Michelin racing tires. The physique panels and the tires incorporate renewable supplies, together with natural-fiber composites and recycled carbon fiber for the bodywork.

The Cayman GT4 ePerformance will make its public debut on the 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed, scheduled for June 23-26. It will then head to Porsche’s Leipzig, Germany, manufacturing facility in August for that facility’s twentieth anniversary, adopted by a tour of European international locations. A pair of the prototypes will then journey to North America in 2023 and Asia in 2024.

By that point, Porsche could also be prepared to point out a manufacturing electrical 718, in keeping with a 2021 Car and Driver report. The automaker estimates that by 2030 greater than 80% of its gross sales can be EVs. It’s investing in battery tech and manufacturing to organize for that.