Celebrating 75 years of Porsche with the Porsche Vision 357 paying homage to the original 356

On June 8, 1948, so 75 years ago, the 356 No. 1 Roadster was the first car to be legally operated under the Porsche name. This marked the origin of the sports car company's legacy.

In honour of its anniversary year, Porsche is introducing the Porsche Vision 357, a tribute to the Porsche 356, inspired by Ferry Porsche's dream of a sports car. This design study modernises its monolithic form. Freed from regulations associated with manufacturing a series model, Style Porsche Team explored their ideas of futuristic design. One example can be seen in the enhanced light signage that illustrates a progressive, visionary approach towards the future. The concept behind this design is traditional yet innovative: what would Ferry Porsche’s sports car look like today?

The design of the Porsche 356

Design has been a major part of Porsche since the beginning. Visionary research and concept cars shape Porsche's classic yet modern, innovative design.

“Thinking about the future is one of the main objectives for Style Porsche. Design studies are the source for tomorrow's design.We're always thinking about how to move forward with our mobility. We can look back at our history to get inspiration, and use creative freedom to come up with innovative ideas.” – Michael Mauer, Vice President Style PorschE

The shape of the Porsche Vision 357 has a familiar monolithic form, just like its predecessor, the 356. Its windscreen curves around the pillars, similar to those found in the earlier 356 models. The one-piece glass was later replaced in 1952 by the two-piece, which had a bend down the middle. The A-pillars of the Porsche Vision 357 are black and link up the side window frames. This design gives it a visor-like look, as if you are wearing a helmet.

The Porsche Vision 357 is a bold sports car, built upon the most extreme version of the 718 Cayman GT4 RS. It is a two-seater and promises an exhilarating driving experience.

The Volkswagen Group is showcasing the “75 Years of Porsche Sports Cars” exhibit at their “DRIVE” Forum in Berlin from January 27th, 2023 onwards. The Porsche Vision 357 will remain on display until mid-February. After that, it will be presented at the SXSW in Austin from March 10th, 2023 and be featured at various international events throughout the year.

Pictures: Porsche