Porsche sports cars have always been tailored to the needs of the driver. In the Mission X, this focus reaches a new level. All essential display and control elements are on the driver's axis. As is common in racing cars, the steering wheel and pedal are longitudinally adjustable, while the CFRP seat shells integrated into the monocoque are fixed. Another motorsport parallel: inspired by the highly customised seats of professional drivers, the seats can be customised with 3D-print bodyform full bucket seats.
To enable quick adjustment of the distance between the accelerator and brake pedals, a scale is milled into the ’river's footwell. Both occupants are secured with six-point seat belts. Andalusia Brown leather pads on the seat cushions and backrests as well as matching fabric sections in the integrated headrests play with materials and colour. The latter are easily removed with clips if, for example, the driver and passenger are wearing helmets and neck restraints on a race track.
The driver focus can also be seen in the asymmetry of the interior and its colour concept: the two seats are coloured differently. Apart from the customisable parts of the 3D-print bodyform full bucket seats, the driver’s seat is Kalahari Grey and matches the colour of the centre console and instrument panel. The passenger seat, meanwhile, is finished in contrasting Andalusia Brown. An LED light strip is integrated in the centre of both seats. This greets the occupants with a ‘welcome’ gesture.
The steering wheel is open at the top, with the two leather-upholstered grips in Kalahari Grey fitting smoothly into the hand. As in the current 911 GT3 RS, there are four individual mode switches on the steering wheel. Rockers and paddles are available as additional control elements for controlling features such as the brake energy recuperation function.
The curved instrument cluster sits at the highest point of the steering column: it has a concave shape for better readability and is oriented towards the driver. The concept offers the choice between a display featuring classic Porsche dials or a full-screen navigation map. In Track mode, the displays shift to a functional representation with dedicated track-focused content.
On top of the steering column, a small display window offers a view of the airbag module. As in a racing car, the material used in the steering column has been optimised for weight. The 7.8-inch central display faces the driver. Prominent aluminium controls are positioned to its right. Here again, designers have performance-oriented driving in mind: the climate controls can even be operated with racing gloves on. In classic Porsche fashion, the ‘Le Mans’ starter button is located to the left of the steering wheel and features an elegant, authentic metal design. Here, the designers were inspired by the elegant metallic detailing of historic cameras.
A pair of six-inch displays are integrated in the mirror attachment piece between the door panel and A-pillars. They function as digital side mirrors, with the external cameras transmitting the visual information to them via a control unit. Spectacular video footage can be recorded inside the car as well: one camera mounted in the roof and two cameras in the doors next to the digital exterior mirrors record what is happening in the cabin in real time. Recording starts as soon as the driver presses the record button (REC) on the multi-purpose controller. This also functions as a control lever.
There is another interior highlight on the passenger side, where a bayonet system embedded in the instrument panel enables a stopwatch module to be quickly attached. The historical reference is unmistakable: in classic racing and rally cars, co-drivers often fitted a plate with stopwatches or a compact device with an odometer into the dashboard in this position. Porsche Design created a special timing module for the Mission X, with an analogue and digital display. The stopwatches are designed for both racetrack and rally use and can display the lap times or health data of the driver, among other information.
A small, closed compartment in the trim behind the seats provides practical storage. Smartphones can be charged wirelessly in the shelf in front of the multi-purpose controller. The air vents of the air conditioning system are located in the doors. Because even in a hypercar, Porsche never loses sight of everyday usability.
