Porsche’s new EVs will bring bold designs as ‘an evolution’ of the sports car brand
Porsche is bringing fresh design features for its upcoming electric vehicles. According to Ingo Scheinhütte, head of advanced exterior design at Porsche, the brand’s new EVs “must be an evolution” of the German firm’s heritage.
Porsche vehicles are known for their performance, but the design plays an integral role, especially when it comes to EVs.
Scheinhütte recently sat down with Autocar to discuss Porsche’s latest concept models and how they will help shape the brand’s future EV lineup.
At Porsche, concept cars have always laid the groundwork for the brand’s future. The automaker continued the tradition with the all-electric Mission X hypercar concept, unveiled in June.
Oliver Blume, CEO of Porsche, proclaimed, “The Porsche Mission X is a technology beacon for the sports car of the future. It picks up the torch of iconic sports cars of decades past, like the 959, the Carrera GT, and the 918 Spyder before it.”
Blume added that “Porsche has only remained Porsche by constantly changing.” As such, the Mission X has the same dimensions as the Carrera GT and 918 Spyder but features modern design upgrades.
New Porsche EV concepts hint at future design elements
The Mission X includes a new light signature, a reinterpretation of the Porsche four-point graphic. A full-length light bar is the highlight of the rear, with transparent Porsche lettering that lights up when the brakes are hit.
The new rear lightning will be a focal point in future cars, as Scheinhütte explained: “Some elements are essential for our brand ID, like the continuous light arch – and on the Mission X, you see a development of that.”
He added, “Instead of just having a light bar, it now has the Porsche logo integrated into it. I’m confident this is something we will see in production.”
When asked if the design would be integrated into other segments, Scheinhütte responded by saying:
The more you go into the limousine segment and SUV segment, the less 3D shapes you can play with, so [sports] cars are kind of our blueprint that we try to take and adapt to our SUVs.
Porsche’s new concept also debuted a modern Porsche crest to represent the brand’s future (while still incorporating its heritage).
While the Mission X is a “development of the Porsche design language,” the Vision 357 “is a love letter to the original Porsche shape.”
Porsche released its Vision 357 speedster concept at the Goodwood FOS last month as a “nod to the first Porsche model line.”
Although the electric speedster is a tribute to Porsche’s heritage, it may include design clues for future EVs. Porsche’s design boss told Autocar:
On the 357, there is a crease on the side, and usually Porsches are very round. This time, we tried to give it a bit of an edge and a corner, even bring the corner around the whole car. I think we could apply that to our SUVs.
Regarding bringing back the old-school GT design for future Porsche EVs, Scheinhütte said the “old GT design with the large bonnet is the oldest symbol we can use in car design.” However, he added, “With EVs, you don’t have those symbols any more, and you don’t want to send a fake message.”
Porsche is set to release the Macan EV (it was recently spotted testing, check out the pictures here) next year, which will be followed by an electric 718 in 2025, the long-awaited Cayenne EV in 2026, and a new ultra-luxury SUV that will top the lineup in 2027.
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The Stripe logo on a smartphone with U.S. dollar banknotes in the background.
Budrul Chukrut | SOPA Images | LightRocket via Getty Images
Stripe cut 300 jobs, representing about 3.5% of its workforce, mostly in product, engineering and operations, CNBC has confirmed.
The payments company, valued at about $70 billion in the private markets, still expects to increase headcount by 10,000 by the end of the year, which would be a 17% increase, and is “not slowing down hiring,” according to a memo to staff from Chief People Office Rob McIntosh. Business Insider reported earlier on the cuts and the memo.
A Stripe spokesperson also confirmed to CNBC that a cartoon image of a duck with text that read, “US-Non-California Duck,” was accidentally attached as a PDF to emails sent to some of the employees who were laid off. Some of the emails mistakenly provided affected employees with an incorrect termination date, the spokesperson said.
McIntosh sent a follow-up email to staffers apologizing for the “notification error” and “any confusion it caused.”
“Corrected and full notifications have since been sent to all impacted Stripes,” he wrote.
In 2022, Stripe cut roughly 1,100 jobs, or 14% of its workers, downsizing alongside most of the tech industry, as soaring inflation and rising interest rates forced companies to focus on profits over growth. The Information reported that Stripe had a few dozen layoffs in its recruiting department in 2023.
Stripe’s valuation sank from a peak of $95 billion in 2021 to $50 billion in 2023, before reportedly rebounding to $70 billion last year as part of a secondary share sale. The company ranked third on last year’s CNBC Disruptor 50 list.
In October, Stripe agreed to pay $1.1 billion for crypto startup Bridge Network, whose technology is focused on making it easy for businesses to transact using digital currencies.
Brothers Patrick and John Collison, who founded Stripe in 2010, have intentionally steered clear of the public markets and have given no indication that an offering is on the near-term horizon. Total payment volume at the company surpassed $1 trillion in 2023.
WATCH: Early Bridge investor weighs in on $1.1 billion Stripe deal
Thinking about upgrading your EV? Rivian (RIVN) launched a new promo on Tuesday, offering up to $6,000 to upgrade your R1S or R1T. Here’s how you can snag some savings.
Rivian R1S and R1T upgrade deal offers up to $6,000
Rivian delivered over 51,500 vehicles last year as the EV maker gains momentum. Although it was only slightly higher than the ~50,100 delivered in 2023, Rivian is expected to see even more growth this year.
After shutting down its Normal, IL manufacturing plant last April and renegotiating supplier contracts, Rivian has seen “significant cost improvements,” according to CEO RJ Scaringe.
Rivian also began delivering its next-gen R1S and R1T models last year. The new Large and Max battery packs have redesigned modules and more efficient packaging, “making them easier to manufacture and service.” For example, Rivian’s new EVs use seven ECUs, down from 17 in the first-generation R1T and R1S.
With new plant upgrades, reworked supplier contracts, and more efficient vehicles, Rivian is now passing the savings on to customers.
Rivian introduced a new promo on Tuesday, offering up to $6,000 to upgrade your R1T or R1S. The bonus amount varies by trim:
- Tri with Max battery: $6,000 USD / CAD 8,600
- Dual with Max battery and Performance upgrade: $4,500 USD / CAD 6,500
- Dual with Max battery: $3,000 USD / CAD 4,300
The offer is for current R1T or R1S owners or lessees in the US and Canada. Rivian launched the new promo on January 21, and it runs through March 31, 2025.
After you purchase or lease a qualifying vehicle, Rivian will apply a discount toward the MSRP. You must take delivery by March 31, 2025. In the fine print, Rivian stated, “You must request a trade-in estimate to qualify for this offer, but trade-in of a vehicle is not required.”
Any other models are excluded from the offer. These include Dual Standard configurations, Dual with Large battery configurations, custom builds, demo vehicles, and pre-owned vehicles.
The new offer follows Rivian’s previous upgrade promo introduced last October, giving qualifying gas-powered vehicle owners or lessees up to $3,000.
Check out the Rivian R1 Shop to view eligible models. You can see eligible Rivian R1S here and R1T models here.
Electrek’s Take
Rivian’s R1S was already the tenth best-selling electric vehicle in the US last year, with nearly 27,000 models sold. With more driving range and power at a lower cost, the electric SUV could see even more demand in 2025.
Then again, with the arrival of new luxury electric SUVs, like the Jeep Wagoneer S and Volvo EX90, Rivian will face more competition in the US.
Rivian’s latest promo comes as the Company looks to carry the momentum from the end of 2024 into the new year. The EV maker is offering other deals, including 1.99% APR for 60 months on the R1 Dual with a Max Battery and Performance upgrade.
Even if you are not eligible for the promo, we can still help you find deals on Rivian’s electric SUV in your area. You can use our links below to view offers on the Rivian R1S and R1T near you today.
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