Porsche Celebrates 70th Anniversary with 911 Speedster Concept, Mission E Renaming

Both cars show that Porsche is ready for the future without losing sight of its past.

On June 8, 1948, the Porsche brand officially launched with the introduction of the first type 356 roadster.

Seventy years later, the lineup may have expanded to include SUVs, sedans and even a station wagon, but that doesn't mean that this sportscar maker has forgotten its history.

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Check out these two cars that Porsche just announced, which show the automaker is committed to a future that pays homage to its past.

911 Speedster Concept

The 911 Speedster Concept is not only a throwback to previous 911 Speedster models, but it also incorporates other Porsche elements such as a shorter window with a sharper incline, chrome side mirrors and center-mounted fuel filler. For now, this latest 911 Speedster is only a concept, but a decision for production could be made "in the coming months." Porsche has a track record of using a Speedster variant as an unofficial goodbye to a particular 911 generation, which would make the timing right as the 991 generation nears the end.

Taycan

While the 911 Speedster Concept is a nod to brand's past, electrification seems to be the wave of the future. Porsche's first-ever electric vehicle was previewed in 2015 with the Mission E Concept, but when it goes into production, this EV will be named the Taycan.

The name Taycan (pronounced "Tie-Kahn") roughly translates to "lively young horse," and this car will most certainly be lively with promises of over 600 horsepower and a 0-60 time of under 3.5 seconds.

Check out this cool infographic they shared with the name's announcement.

Two impressive concepts from a brand that keeps pushing the limits.

NEXT: 2018 POLARIS SLINGSHOT REVIEW

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