The Porsche Vision 357: Tribute to the first Porsche

27/1/2023

75 years ago, on the 8 June 1948, the model 356 No. 1 Roadster became the first car bearing the Porsche name to receive its general operating permit. This was the birth of the ultimate sports car brand.

To celebrate the 356 in its anniversary year, Porsche has embarked on a new journey, paying special reference to the icon that started it all. The design behind the 357 is one derived from the manifestation of a future design philosophy. The consistent flow of light is progressive in the way it points to the future. The repeated fly line creates the ultimate dance of tradition and innovation and leaves us questioning: what would Ferry Porsche’s dream car look like today?

The 356 No. 1 Roadster was the very first car to be built by Porsche. It was a mid-engine two-seater and went into series production as a coupé with a reimagined frame and a 40-PS rear mounted engine instead of the mid-engine concept. This design formed the concept of the Porsche brand, with 78,000 units produced by 1965.

“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,” as Michael Mauer, Vice President Style Porsche, says. “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.”

The passenger cell of the 357 is sleek, completing the iconic fly line with a muscly exterior. With a dynamic front end, the windscreen wraps around the A-pillars in dramatic fashion. Porsche is once again pushing the boundaries of glass production, with the A-pillars uniting towards the sides of the windscreen, creating a stunning single unit which resembles the visor of a helmet.

The exterior feature detailing doesn’t end there either, with subtle nods to the model 356 featuring throughout. The grill pattern on the rear for example, features an integrated third brake light, and like all modern-day Porsches, the Vision 357 features a four-point light signet in front, complete with rounded headlights akin to that of the original Porsche. The paintwork that featured at the launch is a two-tone concept of Ice Grey Metallic and Grivola Grey Metallic is a nod to the grey tones popular in the 1950s. Finally, a recall of the legendary 356 A and 356 B wheels with drum brakes, allows for yet another contemporary makeover to a classic design piece.

The Vision 357 has sporty details derived from the exceptional 718 Cayman GT4RS, such as air intakes positioned high behind the driver and passenger side windows. Complete with the “eFuel” logo on the tank cap on the right wing, the decals add another reminder of where the inspiration for this vision concept originated. There is a conscious effort for sustainability in mind too, with flax fibres from agriculture.

The “75” anniversary logo wraps the doors and the front of the design study like a start number. There’s nothing behind the lower area of the front wheels, which enhances the ventilation of the wheel arches. The wrap-around front bonnet is seamless and wraps around the nose of the car perfectly. This is fastened with quick-release mechanisms.

Built on the technology platform of the 368 kW (500 PS; 718 Cayman GT4 RS: Fuel consumption* combined (WLTP) 13.2 l/100 km, CO₂ emissions* combined (WLTP) 299 g/km) 718 Cayman GT4 RS, the Porsche Vision 357 represents outstanding sports car performance.

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