Porsche 356 reborn for 2023
With this fresh design idea, Porsche has gone back to its roots. It is just one of the "many" 75th birthday gifts the sports-car manufacturer will be giving itself over the coming year. Vision 357 is a contemporary interpretation of the 356, which was the first production vehicle to carry the Porsche name when it was introduced in 1948. It served as the inspiration for the iconic Porsche 911, which is celebrating its own 60th anniversary this year.
The 357 mimics the slender and rakish appearance of the 356 while also including a more contemporary front end, rounded back, and aggressively flared wheel arches. Porsche chose not to bring back the 356's unique split windscreen design, despite the fact that it "liberated" itself from any rules that apply to road cars, such as those addressing safety.
The 357 has a unique livery that gives it the appearance of a road-going racer, with 75th-anniversary insignia decorating the doors and bonnet. The 357 is an "effort to connect the past, present, and future with coherency," according to Vice President of Style Porsche Michael Mauer, while exhibiting "elements that depict the perspective for the future."
Despite these remarks, Mauer refused to confirm whether the 357 offers a direct glimpse into the company's future stylings and insisted that it does not serve as a preview for the 911's successor.
Future vehicles are probably going to use the 357's virtual outside mirrors, which Porsche sibling company Audi uses on the Audi Q8 E-Tron.
It might be a surprise to learn that the 357 lacks an electric drivetrain. It is based on the renowned Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS and boasts a 4.0-litre flat-six engine with a mid-mounted position that produces 493 bi-horsepower, albeit it has been retuned to run on synthetic fuels.
When asked what else Porsche might have planned to commemorate its 75th birthday, Mauer advised reporters to "wait and see."
