New “Porsche Unseen” Book Shares Unreleased Concept Cars

In the new book “Porsche Unseen”, for the first time ever, readers are offered an insight into the design studies of a range of previously unreleased Porsche concept cars from 2005 to 2019.

For the first time, Porsche is offering readers an insight into a range of previously unreleased concept cars and their design studies from 2005 to 2019 in the new book “Porsche Unseen.”

Offering a closer look at a range of different concept cars from Porsche, each vehicle’s design journey is outlined and covered by Jan Karl Baedeker and Stefan Bogner in this book, from the very first drawing to the “finished” near-production-ready concept car.

“People all over the world love the timeless and innovative design of our sports cars,” says Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board at Porsche AG. “Visionary concept studies are the foundation of this success: they provide the pool of ideas for the Porsche design of tomorrow, and combine our strong tradition with trailblazing future technologies.”

The design process starts with a sketch and is further visualized in the next step as a 3D model. As soon as it’s decided that an idea is to be developed further, small models are produced in a scale of 1:3, then followed by hard models in the scale 1:1.

“The virtual world is the first step, but you especially have to experience the unusual models in reality in order to understand whether a car has small, large or surprising proportions,” says Michael Mauer, Vice President Style Porsche.

In contrast to the development of a production model where several models are always developed with different styling formats, the vision projects, on the other hand, concentrate on a single vision model that serves as a protagonist for the central idea.

“When it comes to the visions we develop, it is not about bringing every car onto the road. Instead, it is more a question of establishing creative space and a relationship with the future,” shares Michael Mauer when describing the design process and adds: “There are two possibilities for continuing to develop as a brand: either you improve your products from the present, that is to say step-by-step. However, it is difficult to be really innovative in this process. Or you give free rein to your creativity. The idea is to let your thoughts jump to the day after tomorrow, and to then move back from there to tomorrow.”

As a teaser to some of the designs included in the book, Porsche has revealed images for a few of the concept cars, including the Porsche 919 Street, Vision Spyder, and the Vision “Renndienst” van.

Developed on the Porsche 919 Hybrid base, the Porsche 919 Street (2017; 1:1 clay model) aims to deliver a driving experience similar to an LMP1 car but for amateur drivers. Featuring a 900 PS hybrid racing drivetrain inside its carbon fiber monocoque, the Porsche 919 Street shares the same dimensions, wheelbase, and powertrain as the Porsche 919 that achieved numerous victories at Le Mans.

Meanwhile, the Porsche Vision Spyder (2019; 1:1 hard model) is a topless sports car that takes inspiration from the 1954 Porsche 550-1500 RS Spyder. Featuring an open cockpit, characteristic radiator grilles over the mid-engine, and red graphic design elements, the Porsche Vision Spyder was essentially a study of Porsche’s design identity. It also offered the designers the chance to explore futuristic design elements like the new ultra-modern roll bar.

Lastly is the Porsche Vision “Renndienst” van (2018; 1:1 model), a family-friendly electric van concept that can seat up to six passengers. Designed around a central driving position, the Vision “Renndienst” van takes inspiration from a futuristic space shuttle and shows how the Porsche brand can transfer its design DNA to a new vehicle segment for the brand. With the all-electric drive technology located on the car’s underbody, passengers are afforded an extra spacious travel experience.

More Porsche concept cars can be found inside the Porsche Unseen book, which is available from Amazon, the publisher Delius Klasing, and the Porsche Museum.

Porsche has also announced a “coming-soon” exhibition in 2021 at the Porsche Museum that will showcase these same concept cars in real life.