Porsche Vision 357 Celebrates the Iconic 356

• The Porsche Vision 357 celebrates the Porsche 356’s 75th birthday.

• This concept sports the powertrain from the 718 Cayman GT4, which means it features a mid-mounted 4.0-liter flat-six that makes 493 hp.

• The Vision 357 will be featured in the “75 Years of Porsche Sports Cars” exhibit at Volkswagen Group’s “DRIVE” forum in Berlin.

The Porsche 356 launched the company’s sports car endeavors and helped cement the brand as an enthusiast-focused automaker. So what better way to celebrate the Porsche 356 turning 75 than to churn out a special concept in its honor? Meet the Porsche Vision 357. While this Porsche isn’t based on a vintage 356 chassis, it does look to Porsche’s legendary sports coupe for its design inspiration. Though much like the Porsche 356 did 75 years ago, the Vision 357 looks toward the future of auto design.

Based on a Porsche 718 GT4 RS, this Vision 357 Concept isn’t just a gutless show car. It packs the Cayman GT4 RS’s 493-hp flat-six under the engine cover. Porsche notes this Cayman mill is tuned for eFuel use, and that designation is proudly labeled on the Vision 357’s fuel door.

The styling obviously harks back to the general shape of Porsche’s beloved septuagenarian. Porsche’s Vision 357 styling takes the general direction of the 356 and gives it a futuristic overhaul. The hidden lighting, seamless shape and modern race inspiration do set this apart from its historic lineage, but it’s a natural evolution of Porsche’s beloved sports car.

As for why this thing exists, Porsche’s Micahel Mauer says, “The concept car is an attempt to combine the past, present, and future with coherency, featuring proportions that are reminiscent of its historical archetype and details that visualize the outlook for the future.”

Sadly, this Vision 357 Concept isn’t heading to an assembly line, at least anytime soon. It wouldn’t be unexpected to see some of these elements make their way to the next Boxster or Cayman, but it’s safe to assume this one-off concept will stay just that. Though, you’ll be able to see this special Porsche in the flesh at the “75 Years of Porsche Sports Cars” exhibit at Volkswagen Group’s “DRIVE” forum in Berlin.

While this concept will be on display through the middle of February, according to Porsche, the company also plans to ship it to international events over the next year, so you might not have to travel to Berlin after all.

Do you think Porsche should put something like the Vision 357 Concept into production? Tell us your thoughts below.