When we brought you news of the spectacular Vision 357 concept back in January, we warned you to expect plenty of very special cars in this, Porsche’s 75th year – and boy has that prophecy come to pass. Just in the last two months we’ve had the 718 Spyder RS and the staggering Mission X; now, just in time for Festival of Speed, we have the new Vision 357 Speedster. 

As you might expect, the name tells you much you need to know: this is the sister model of the closed-roof 357 – except where that concept was powered by the same 500hp flat-six found in the GT4 RS, the Speedster is based on the technology previewed in the all-electric 718 GT4 ePerformance. Accordingly, the electric motors and battery are taken from the Mission R, and the chassis from the 718 GT4 Clubsport. 

“The Porsche Vision 357 is a nod to the first Porsche model line, Ferry Porsche’s dream sports car. And since the 356 has burned itself into the collective brand memory as both a convertible and a coupé, the same logic applies to the concept car: there can only be two,” explained Michael Mauer, Vice President Style Porsche. “The Porsche Vision 357 Speedster embodies the essence of the brand. Driving pleasure and driving dynamics combined with an extremely purist form. As with the Mission X that we presented just a few weeks ago, this model demonstrates that even with fresh design genes, the Porsche DNA shines through.” 

That DNA is most prevalent in the shortened windscreen typical of a Porsche Speedster. However, it’s the tonneau cover we particularly like – an obvious nod to open-top sports cars of the good old days, and its presence dictates the use of just one front seat. As with the original Vision 357, the mirrors are replaced by cameras, although here they feature a new, aerodynamically optimised shape said to be reminiscent of wings. Go figure. 

Other features are familiar from the earlier concept, not least the squat shape and exaggerated wide track. The 20-inch wheels are said to be made of magnesium and are equipped with carbon fibre hubcaps and central locks, although visually they’re intended to be redolent of the wheel Porsche fitted to the 356 A and B – except without the drum brakes, of course. 

Inside you get a CFRP seat shell integrated into the monocoque, with Racetex-covered seats and a six-point harness. Note the instrument cluster on a transparent surface above the steering wheel – how long till this becomes a thing? Elsewhere the entire dashboard is in a carbon-weave finish and there are straps provided to secure loose items in lieu of a conventional glovebox. Perhaps that’s one feature we can leave in the conceptual filing cabinet, but the Vision 357 Speedster takes its rightful place next to the remainder of Porsche’s remarkable birthday celebrations.