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    KTM India Sales April 2023 – Duke, RC, 125, 200, 250, 390 ADV

    Image – MotobikeKTM total sales, that included both domestic and exports grew on a YoY basis but dipped MoMKTM India has performed well on a YoY basis with a 6.98 percent growth to 11,729 units sold in April 2023, up from 10,964 units sold in April 2022. MoM sales however, fell by 1.87 percent from 11,952 units sold in March 2023.Sales in domestic markets stood at 5,078 units in April 2023 which was a 680.03 percent YoY growth over 651 units sold in April 2022. MoM sales however, dipped 19.19 percent from 6,284 units sold in March 2023.KTM India Domestic Sales April 2023KTM had its 200 (Duke and RC) at the top of sales charts with 2,673 units sold in the past month, a 1782.39 percent YoY growth over 142 units sold in April 2022. This was a 2,531 unit volume growth with a 52.64 percent share. MoM sales fell by 8.30 percent from 2,915 units sold in March 2023.Outstanding YoY growth was also seen for the KTM 250 range which improved by 5516 percent YoY to 1,404 units in the past month from 25 units sold in April 2022. MoM sales fell by 18.13 percent from 1,715 units sold in March 2023. It currently commands a 27.65 percent share.KTM India domestic sales April 2023YoY growth was also reported for the KTM 390 and KTM 125 though MoM sales dipped. KTM 390 series (Duke + RC + ADV) has posted 85 percent YoY growth but 30.63 percent MoM decline to 838 units while KTM 125 (Duke + RC) sales improved by 433.33 percent on a YoY basis but fell by 63.45 MoM to 163 units in April 2023.KTM India Exports April 2023KTM exports on the other hand has seen a de-growth in YoY sales by 35.51 percent to 6,651 units from 10,313 units shipped in April 2022. MoM sales grew by 17.34 percent from 5,668 units shipped in March 2023.In global markets, it was the KTM 390 series that commanded the most attention. Sales stood at 3,812 units in the past month, a YoY de-growth of 26.76 percent from 5,205 units sold in April 2022. MoM sales improved by 52.72 percent from 2,496 units sold in March 2023. This took the share percentage up to 57.31 percent from 44.04 percent held in March 2023.KTM India exports April 2023While KTM 200 series exports grew YoY by 7.25 percent and MoM by 44.83 percent to 2,100 units, that of its 250 series dipped YoY by 51.27 percent to 539 units while MoM exports increased by 25.93 percent from 428 units shipped in March 2023. KTM 125 range was not much in demand in global markets as sales fell 35.51 percent YoY and 84.54 percent MoM to 200 units in April 2023.KTM Total Sales April 2023Total sales (domestic + exports) grew 6.98 percent YoY but dipped by 1.87 percent MoM to 11,729 units in April 2023. It was the KTM 200 range that saw the most sales at 4,773 units in April 2023, up 127.29 percent YoY and 9.35 percent MoM. It was followed by the KTM 390 of which the company sold 4,650 units in the past month, down 17.83 percent YoY but up 25.54 percent MoM.KTM India total April 2023KTM 250 series also improved on a YoY basis by 71.79 percent to 1,943 units from 1,131 units sold in April 2022 but fell by 9.33 percent from 2,143 units sold in March 2023. KTM 125 series total sales fell to 363 units in the past month down 82.50 percent YoY and 79.14 percent MoM. More

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    2023 Hero Passion Plus Launch Price Rs 76k – New Features Added

    2023 Hero Passion PlusExcluding Splendor + XTEC variant, Passion Plus is now the costliest 100cc bike from Hero MotoCorpWith Hero’s 100cc bikes being its bread and butter, it’s natural to feel a bit anxious when there’s a new capable rival in town. If consumer attention is diverted towards recently launched Honda Shine 100, it would be a setback for Hero MotoCorp.To deal with the insecurity, Hero is working on a multi-pronged strategy. For example, HF Deluxe was recently updated with new colours and features. And now, Hero has reintroduced Passion Plus 100cc. The bike was discontinued in 2019, owing to low demand. Hero now has a total of five 100cc bikes to tackle the threat from Honda Shine 100.Hero Passion Plus styling and featuresAs compared to Hero’s 100cc bikes like Splendor+, HF Deluxe and HF 100, the newly launched Passion Plus has a more premium profile. It explains why Passion Plus is categorized under Hero’s Executive range and not under the Practical range. Before Passion Plus, the Executive range had only 110cc and 125cc bikes. Hero’s Performance range has motorcycles in 160cc and 200cc segment.Passion Plus has a seamless design, with a lot more skin in comparison to other 100cc bikes from Hero. With availability of a broader canvas, it has been possible to paint some cool graphics onto the bike. The graphics have a smooth flow, extending all the way from the fuel tank to the grab rail section. Matching graphics can be seen on the headlamp cowl as well. Hero Passion Plus is available in colour options of Sports Red, Black Nexus Blue and Black Heavy Grey.2023 Hero Passion PlusIn terms of features, Hero Passion Plus is largely the same as Splendor Plus. Some of the key highlights include i3S technology, side stand indicator, semi-digital instrument console, mobile charging port and spacious utility case. Hero Passion Plus has a long, wide seat, which should ensure optimal comfort for both rider and pillion.Hero Passion Plus performance, specsPassion Plus is using the same 97.2cc engine, as seen with other 100cc bikes from Hero. The air-cooled unit generates 8 PS of max power and 8.05 Nm of peak torque. It is mated to a 4-speed constant mesh gearbox.While there is no official mileage number, Passion Plus could deliver around 60+ kmpl of fuel efficiency. Passion Plus is 115kg, as compared to 112 Kg of Splendor Plus. This could make it slightly less fuel efficient. Passion Plus has a larger 11 litres fuel tank, as compared to 9.8 litres of Splendor+.2023 Hero Passion PlusPassion Plus utilizes a double cradle frame, suspended on telescopic front forks and dual rear shock absorbers. The bike has 18-inch wheels at both ends, shod with 80/100 tubeless tyres at front and rear. Braking duties are performed by 130mm drum brakes at both ends.At Rs 76,301, Passion Plus is costlier than Honda Shine that is available at a starting price of Rs 64,900. Clearly, Hero doesn’t want to take any chances. It is ensuring that options are available at both ends of the spectrum, i.e., below and above the price of Honda Shine 100. How effective that strategy will be remains to be seen. More

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    2024 Mahindra XUV500 Coupe SUV Spied – Or is it BE.05 Electric?

    New Mahindra XUV500 Spied or is it BE.05 Electric Coupe SUV?It is likely that the test mule spotted is either new gen Mahindra XUV500 to rival Creta or BE.05, which is planned for launch in October 2025With the launch of XUV700, Mahindra discontinued XUV500. But they promised to bring the XUV500 back, in a new gen avatar, probably based on their futuristic BEV design language. Now, a test mule has been spied in Chennai, which could likely be the new gen XUV500 coupe SUV.It is also possible that this could be one of their new born electric SUV. Last year in August, Mahindra had unveiled its born-electric range. It includes the XUV range (XUV.e8, XUV.e9) and the BE range that has BE.05, BE.07 and BE.09. All of these are based on the born-electric INGLO platform. Apart from the new technology, the test mule also wears a unique, colourful camouflage wrapping. It is quite different from the usual black and white wrapping seen on Indian roads.2024 Mahindra XUV500 Coupe SUV or BE.05 Electric?As compared to the radical design of the concept unveiled last year, the test mule has transformed into a more practical form. While the core silhouette and design of the front fascia have been retained, the panelling is now a lot smoother. The concept version had deep grooves and sharp curves, which have been chiselled down a bit. However, BE.05 continues to have a sporty and unique styling, unlike any other Mahindra car in production right now.Some of the key highlights include C-shaped LED DRLs, sculpted tapering bonnet, squarish wheel arches and sporty alloy wheels. As compared to the concept that had camera-based rear-view assembly, the test mule can be seen with conventional ORVMs. At rear, some key features of BE.05 include a tapering roofline with sporty spoiler, prominent tail gate and full-width LED strip.New Mahindra XUV500 Spied or is it BE.05 Electric Coupe SUV?Inside, Mahindra BE.05 has two large touchscreens and sporty two-spoke steering wheel. The SUV has an aircraft-style large gear selector and a rotary control dial. The driver and front passenger area are neatly divided into two separate sections by the central console. BE.05 will have premium upholstery and soft-touch surfaces all around.New Mahindra XUV500 Spied or is it BE.05 Electric Coupe SUV?Mahindra BE.05 range, specsWhile official numbers are not available, it is expected that Mahindra BE.05 will have a range of around 400-500 km. Mahindra BEVs based on the INGLO platform will be powered by LFP battery packs. Both Blade and Prismatic cell architectures will be used. Battery packs will be in the range of  60-80 kWh. These are chargeable with high-powered 175 kW fast-chargers that can load up to 80% in less than 30 minutes.Underpinned by the INGLO platform, Mahindra BEVs including BE.05 are promising an exhilarating performance. Both rear wheel and all-wheel drive options will be available, generating 170-210 kW and 250-290 kW respectively. 0 to 100 kmph will be achievable in just 5 to 6 seconds.New Mahindra XUV500 Spied or is it BE.05 Electric Coupe SUV?BE.05 will be 4,370 mm long, 1,900 mm wide and 1,635 mm tall. It will have a wheelbase of 2,775 mm. All Mahindra BEVs will be getting a comprehensive range of advanced safety features. They will comply with leading safety benchmarks such as GNCAP. Equipped with 5 Radars-1 Vision ADAS architecture, Mahindra BEVs based on INGLO platform are future ready up to L2+ autonomy. More

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    GM Electric Vehicles Will Use Tesla Charging Network Starting in 2024

    General Motors will team with Tesla to let owners of GM EVs use the Tesla 12,000-unit fast-charging network beginning in 2024.GM EVs currently charge using the Combined Charging System, or CCS. Starting next year, GM said, owners will be able to get an adapter to make their EVs compatible with Tesla’s Supercharger network, which uses the North American Charging Standard, or NACS.Ford announced in May that it will be teaming with Tesla so its EVs can be charged on the Supercharger network.General Motors electric vehicles will be able to use Tesla’s Supercharger network starting in 2024, appearing to put Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) on the path to be the dominant charging technology in North America. GM vehicles currently are set up for the Combined Charging System, or CCS.GM CEO Mary Barra made the announcement via Twitter Spaces on Thursday. By teaming with Tesla, the company is expected to save millions on costs to add to its own charging infrastructure. GM currently has 134,000 chargers that are accessible through its own Ultium Charge 360 program and mobile app. Barra said in a statement that this pairing is intended to “help move the industry toward a single North American Charging Standard.”Barra expressed enthusiasm during the Twitter conversation for GM customers’ added access to “12,000 Tesla fast-chargers. I couldn’t be more excited for what this is going to do for customers and for EV adoption.”This content is imported from twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Built-In NACS Starting in 2025In a statement today, GM said it will start integrating NACS charging into new EVs it builds starting in 2025. In the meantime, it will provide owners of GM EVs with adapters to let them use NACS charging stations. The automaker said it will also make adapters available for those who own NACS-standard vehicles (such as Teslas) so they can use the CCS charging stations that already exist. Digital DirectorLaura Sky Brown has been involved in automotive media for a very long time, and she sees it as her calling to guard the legacy and help ensure the continued high quality of Car and Driver. She was one of the first staffers at Automobile Magazine in the ’80s and has worked for many other car magazines and websites as a writer, editor, and copy editor ever since. It has been her privilege to edit many of the greats of automotive journalism over the years, including the ones who currently write for C/D. More

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    2024 Lexus TX Promises Three Roomy Rows and Two Hybrid Choices

    Lexus is adding a new model to its lineup for 2024 called the TX.It’s a three-row SUV meant to replace the old RX L, and it’s larger and offers more third-row space.Available models including the TX350, the TX500h hybrid, and the TX550h+ plug-in hybrid.It’s surprising that it took this long, but Lexus is finally ready to offer a legitimate three-row luxury crossover in the U.S. Welcome the 2024 Lexus TX, a new model that’s larger than the two-row RX and is now the biggest SUV Lexus offers other than the truck-based LX600 flagship. It shares a platform with the Toyota Grand Highlander but offers more features, nicer interior materials, a distinct exterior design, and adds an available plug-in-hybrid powertrain.With a 116.1-inch wheelbase and a 203.1-inch overall length, there’s no denying the TX’s size. It’s larger than competitors such as the Acura MDX and appears to be much more of a legitimate three-row effort than the old RX L, which had a third-row seat only suitable for occasional use. The wayback seats in the TX are far more comfortable than the RX L’s, and access is easy thanks to a second-row seat that flips forward at the push of a button. There’s also more cargo space behind the last row.The TX’s design offers some items of interest, such as the body-color treatment of the spindle grille design with a chrome bar in the center, plus headlights with an inverted L-shaped accent light. But the slab-sided profile and full-width LED taillight strip are less distinctive.Two of the TX’s powertrains are effectively the same as the Grand Highlander’s offerings. A 275-hp turbocharged 2.4-liter inline-four comes standard in the TX350 and comes with a 10-speed automatic transmission and either front- or all-wheel drive. Lexus estimates it will deliver a 21 mpg combined EPA fuel-economy rating. The more powerful TX500h, a hybrid model offered only in F Sport Performance trim, comes with a 362-hp all-wheel-drive setup with that same turbo-four gas engine, a six-speed automatic transmission, and two electric motors. It also has 22-inch wheels, rear-wheel steering, and adaptive dampers. The TX500h claims 24 mpg combined.The TX does differentiate itself with a plug-in-hybrid model called the TX550h+ that uses a 3.5-liter V-6 gasoline engine. This combination produces 406 horsepower and claims 30 mpg and a 33-mile electric driving range. It comes with all-wheel drive and a continuously variable automatic transmission but Lexus has not yet released details on battery size or charging capabilities.Lexus is also hoping that the TX’s interior design separates it from its Toyota sibling. The dashboard features a 14.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, an optional digital gauge cluster, and an optional head-up display. It looks and feels appropriately upscale for a Lexus but doesn’t skimp on practicality, with generous storage spaces and numerous charging ports and power outlets. Three interior colors will be available, including Peppercorn, Birch, and Black. Trim levels include base, Premium, and Luxury, along with the RX500h F Sport Performance.We reckon the TX will cost a few thousand dollars more than the RX, which ranges from $48,950 up to $64,145. The TX350 and TX500h are scheduled to arrive this fall, and the PHEV TX550h+ will go on sale later on.More New Lexus SUVsMore on Lexus SUVsThis content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Senior EditorDespite being raised on a steady diet of base-model Hondas and Toyotas—or perhaps because of it—Joey Capparella nonetheless cultivated an obsession for the automotive industry throughout his childhood in Nashville, Tennessee. He found a way to write about cars for the school newspaper during his college years at Rice University, which eventually led him to move to Ann Arbor, Michigan, for his first professional auto-writing gig at Automobile Magazine. He has been part of the Car and Driver team since 2016 and now lives in New York City.   More

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    2024 Lexus GX Leans into Off-Road Nature with Blocky New Look

    Lexus is introducing a new version of the GX mid-size SUV for 2024, and it looks quite different.At launch there is a GX550 model with a twin-turbo 3.4-liter V-6 engine with 349 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. A hybrid will come later.There’s also an off-road-oriented Overtrail trim with 33-inch tires and a locking rear differential.The Lexus GX mid-size SUV, already a favorite among off-roaders and overlanding enthusiasts, enters 2024 looking like Lexus’s version of the Mercedes G-wagen. The blocky, squared-off new look emphasizes its tough body-on-frame construction, sophisticated four-wheel-drive system, and Land Cruiser roots, and the new 2024 GX550 will even offer a special new off-road trim level called Overtrail.Built on the same platform as the larger Lexus LX, the new GX is significantly larger than the old one. In fact, it’s only a few inches smaller than the LX in most dimensions and has the same wheelbase, making us wonder why Lexus still plans to offer both models in the U.S. Most versions of the GX come standard with a third row of seats offer seating for six or seven, although the Overtrail is only available as a two-row five-seater for now. The side-opening tailgate is gone, replaced by a conventional power liftgate with a glass section that opens separately. The third row is available with a power-folding function.More on the GXFour-wheel drive with a low range is standard across the board, as is a center locking differential. The standard powertrain in the GX550 is a twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V-6 engine and a 10-speed automatic. This is the same engine found in the Toyota Tundra, Toyota Sequoia, and Lexus LX600, and in the GX550 it produces 349 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. Lexus claims a combined fuel-economy rating of 17 mpg, a slight bump over the old V-8 GX460’s 16 mpg combined. Lexus says that a hybrid is coming later, and we expect this setup to have a similar configuration as the Tundra and Sequoia’s iForce Max, with a bit more horsepower courtesy of an electric motor and slightly improved fuel economy.The GX’s suspension features the same setup as the LX, with an independent front suspension and a solid rear axle. The Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) feature that can disconnect the front and rear anti-roll bars continues on, but it’s now done electronically. Adaptive dampers are standard. Upgrades for the Overtrail include a rear locking differential, 33-inch all-terrain tires with 18-inch wheels, and skid plates.Inside, the new GX’s dashboard looks far more modern than before—no surprise given that the previous GX had been around for more than a decade. A 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 14.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system dominate the driver’s view, and the touchscreen runs Lexus’s latest infotainment system with improved voice commands. A combination of two physical knobs and touch-sensitive buttons control the HVAC system, and there are switches and buttons on the center console near the shifter for the four-wheel-drive system, drive modes, and differential locks.The lineup starts off with the Premium and Premium+ grades, and the Luxury and Luxury+ models will presumably add more equipment (Lexus hasn’t detailed available features by trim yet). These will be offered with either a second-row bench or captain’s chairs. The Overtrail adds the off-road upgrades and comes with other visual tweaks, while the Overtrail+ will come with extra features commensurate with the Luxury trim. The Premium and Overtrail models offer 8000 pounds of towing capacity, while the Luxury trim can tow 6990 pounds and the Luxury+ can tow 6780 pounds.Eleven exterior colors will be offered, and the Overtrail will be available in certain two-tone combinations with a black roof like the Earth-and-black combination pictured at top. The interior comes standard with faux leather and will be available with semi-aniline leather on the higher trims, while the Overtrail has attractive green suede accents on the seats.We haven’t heard anything on price, but we expect the 2024 GX to go up a fair amount compared with the old model’s price range of $59,275–$69,930. It will be built in Japan and is slated to start arriving at U.S. dealerships in early 2024.This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Senior EditorDespite being raised on a steady diet of base-model Hondas and Toyotas—or perhaps because of it—Joey Capparella nonetheless cultivated an obsession for the automotive industry throughout his childhood in Nashville, Tennessee. He found a way to write about cars for the school newspaper during his college years at Rice University, which eventually led him to move to Ann Arbor, Michigan, for his first professional auto-writing gig at Automobile Magazine. He has been part of the Car and Driver team since 2016 and now lives in New York City.   More

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    2024 Lexus GX Overtrail Swaps Third-Row Seats for Extra Off-Road Capability

    The Lexus GX is new for 2024, and it adds a new Overtrail trim level.We’re detailing what’s different about this off-road model, as it features mechanical upgrades.The GX is expected to go on sale in the U.S. in early 2024.Toyota and Lexus are going all in when it comes to the off-road lifestyle. In addition to rough-and-tumble TRD variants, we’re starting to see new trims that lean on an outdoorsy aesthetic while adding some parts to boost capability beyond normal variants. We saw that from Toyota with the Tacoma Trailhunter, and now it’s time for the Lexus GX Overtrail.As part of a massive makeover for the entire GX lineup for the 2024 model year, Lexus has rolled out two new overland-flavored trims: Overtrail and Overtrail+. Aesthetics are obviously a big part of the Overtrail trims, with four available two-tone paint options that contrast a primary paint color against a black roof. Black fenders flares, an aluminum skid plate, and unique 18-inch wheels wrapped in 33-inch all-terrain tires round out the exterior upgrades.More on the GXJust as the exterior relies on some earth tones to really hammer home that “get out into nature” metaphor, the GX Overtrail’s interior pairs one of two interior motifs with olive-green suede accents. While the standard GX is capable of holding up to seven people, Overtrail models ditch the third row, limiting the seating to five. While the seating arrangement may be different, the Overtrail’s underpinnings are largely the same as the rest of the lineup. Motive force comes from a twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V-6 mated to a 10-speed automatic and four-wheel drive. Output is a GX-standard 349 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. The Overtrail is capable of towing 8,000 pounds, same as the Premium and Premium+ trims. While the GX is set to receive an optional hybrid powertrain later, it’s unclear if that will extend to Overtrail.More Lexus Off-RoadersIn terms of off-road-friendly kit, the GX Overtrail will come with what Lexus calls its Electronic–Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (E-KDSS). In all its forms, KDSS allows for the fitment of larger stabilizer bars than you would normally fit on an off-roader. The system is able to tell the difference between on-road corners, when big anti-roll bars are a handling benefit, and articulation off road, where big bars (or any bars at all) are a liability. The old system deactivated the anti-roll bars (or not) after comparing the front and rear hydraulically, while the new one does that electronically.An electronically locking rear differential is standard on Overtrail variants as well. The Overtrail’s unique looks don’t change its capability much, carrying the same 26-degree approach angle as the rest of the lineup. Breakover is one degree better than the pack at 24 degrees, while departure is midpack between the trims at 22 degrees.While pricing is still some ways away, Lexus did note in its release that Overtrail and Overtrail+ will exist at the top of the GX lineup, so it’s sure to be an expensive proposition. Senior EditorCars are Andrew Krok’s jam, along with boysenberry. After graduating with a degree in English from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2009, Andrew cut his teeth writing freelance magazine features, and now he has a decade of full-time review experience under his belt. A Chicagoan by birth, he has been a Detroit resident since 2015. Maybe one day he’ll do something about that half-finished engineering degree. More

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    Porsche Mission X Is an Electric Hypercar Concept with Future Nürburgring Records in Mind

    Currently a concept, the Mission X that Porsche revealed today is a hypercar with an electric powertrain. Porsche says that if it goes to production, the Mission X would be designed to claim the title of fastest road-legal car on the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Lightweight carbon-fiber design and aero elements make more downforce than a 911 GT3 RS.Summer is when the concept cars come out to play, and Porsche has a doozy in its Mission X, which the automaker unveiled at a celebration of 75 years of its sports cars. The Mission X is a look at how the next 75 years of great sports cars might unfold: fast, light, and electric. PorscheThe low-slung electric coupe-style concept looks like a hovercraft, with a lightweight glass-dome roof and doors that open forward like a beetle’s wings—although Porsche designers were probably thinking more of the famous 917 race car when they hung those hinges. “The Porsche Mission X . . . picks up the torch of iconic sports cars of decades past. Like the 959, the Carrera GT and the 918 Spyder before it, the Mission X provides critical impetus for the evolutionary development of future vehicle concepts,” according to Oliver Blume, chairman of the executive board of Porsche.PorscheFascinating LED LightingThis is no longtail. At 177.0 inches long, 78.7 inches wide, and 47.2 inches tall, the Mission X should fit nicely in your garage. It has a similar wheelbase—107.4 inches—to the Carrera GT and 918. Other racing callouts can be seen in the headlight shape, long and placed low on the nose. Unlike the old cars, the new lights are LED modules. During daytime running, just a slim element is visible, but when you turn on the headlights, the full module opens, “like an eye blinking open,” says Porsche. The modern version of a pop-up, say us. Elana Scherr|Car and DriverThe concept car is painted in Rocket Metallic, a color designed just for this car. Satin-finished carbon-fiber details highlight the car’s lightweight construction, and Porsche says its aero elements will make more downforce than a 911 GT3 RS. Staggered tires—20-inch wheels at the front and 21-inch wheels at the rear—make use of that downforce. In the center of the wheels is Porsche’s redesigned crest, which also can be found on the hood and steering wheel. Look closely: changes are subtle. More Porsche NewsContinuing Porsche’s current production car design trend, a full-length light floats across the rear of the Mission X, with Porsche spelled out across it, in case the freshly redesigned crest threw off your recognition. While charging, the “E” in the Porsche lettering gently pulses, to show something is happening. As it’s a concept, Porsche hasn’t given much detail on the propulsion, but this is an electric hypercar, with a battery installed behind the vehicle seats to center the mass and give it mid-engine dynamics. PorscheUltra-Fast ChargingThere is no information on the motors, but the Mission X is promised to have a power-to-weight ratio of roughly 1 hp per 2.2 pounds, and a 900-volt system that will allow it to charge at twice the speed of the Taycan Turbo S—which Porsche says can go from 5 to 80 percent in just over 20 minutes. In the cabin, the driver and passenger seats are different colors, the driver’s seat blending into the Kalahari Gray of the dash as if to say the pilot is part of the car. The passenger sits on Andalusia Brown, and what that says about Porsche’s expectations of your passenger’s experience, we don’t wish to guess at. Porsche’Ring-Ready SwitchgearBack to motorsports inspiration, the open-top steering wheel features mode switches and shift paddles—presumably for some sort of regenerative brake control. Lap recorders and a stopwatch module are also integrated into the cabin, so you can set your own Nürburgring time. Currently the production-car record is held by Mercedes, with the Mercedes AMG One running a 6:35.18 lap time set in 2022.Porsche is quick to declare the Mission X is a design study only, but we saw the Mission E become the Taycan, so we have hope that Mission X will find its way to dealerships in the future. Other Porsches of NoteSenior Editor, FeaturesLike a sleeper agent activated late in the game, Elana Scherr didn’t know her calling at a young age. Like many girls, she planned to be a vet-astronaut-artist, and came closest to that last one by attending UCLA art school. She painted images of cars, but did not own one. Elana reluctantly got a driver’s license at age 21 and discovered that she not only loved cars and wanted to drive them, but that other people loved cars and wanted to read about them, which meant somebody had to write about them. Since receiving activation codes, Elana has written for numerous car magazines and websites, covering classics, car culture, technology, motorsports, and new-car reviews.     More