This is the Porsche Vision Renndienst: A Porsche... minibus?

"What would a Porsche look like, if it focused on the experience of space?"

That is the question that the designers of Porsche's Design Studio appear to have asked themselves a few years back, before wasting no time getting to work on the answer.

The result? An all-electric 'minibus' concept that has - rather amazingly - made Singapore its first stop on its maiden voyage outside of Europe.

The Singaporean debut of the Vision Renndienst was graced by the presence of Ingo Scheinhutte, Head of Advanced Exterior Design at Porsche. The 1:1 scale hard model can now be visited at Porsche Studio Singapore, till 31 March 2024 

Called the Porsche Vision Renndienst, the concept vehicle was shown off to members of the media at Porsche Studio Singapore on the afternoon of 4 March 2024, with a member of the brand's own design department in Weissach - Ingo Scheinhutte, Head of Advanced Design Exterior, Porsche - even gracing the occasion to speak to the media. The 1:1 scale hard model of the car can now be viewed up close at the space, till 31 March 2024.

For those who remember, Porsche published its own 'Book of Secrets' back in 2020 titled 'Porsche Unseen', containing a collection of "design studies" from 2005 to 2019 that had been kept under lock and key. 

Among the concepts revealed, the LMP-inspired 919 Street was breathtakingly cool, and the Porsche Vision Spyder looked like it was ready for the road - but it was ultimately the Vision Renndienst that left an impression, given how un-Porsche-like the thought of a minivan sounded at first. The vehicle first came into life in 2018. 

The Vision Renndienst pays indirect homage to the Renndienst transporter vans used by the Porsche's racing team in the 1950s and 1960s

It's worth noting that the Vision Renndienst isn't without precedent in the brand's history - although its predecessors were never Porsche-badged. The German term 'Renndienst' translates to 'race service', and the concept pays its own homage to the actual roadgoing Volkswagen Type 2s that used to service Porsche's racing team in the 1950s and 1960s. 

Nonetheless, Porsche is quick to note that the concept is not your standard van. Instead, the brand calls it a futuristic 'shuttle' with the ability to seat up to six people in utmost luxury and comfort. As you'd expect, there are three rows of seats on the inside - but the driver sits dead-centre and fully alone up front, almost in race car-style. 

The interior also remains true to the essence of Porsche with an instrument cluster and steering wheel pulled straight from the likes of the 911 or Taycan. While exterior and interior design departments used to form the classic design groups, Ingo shared that two more arenas have become increasingly important over the years: The colour and trim department, and the driver (or user) experience department. The latter was particularly important for the Vision Renndienst, given its deep roots in concepts of modularisation and digitalisation. 

The Vision Renndienst might be a three-row space shuttle, but it does so with a distinct twist - the driver has a central seating position, for a focused, race car-like cockpit 

Interestingly, we're told the Vision Renndienst started life with a form that skewed more towards SUV than minibus. After deciding that the vehicle would be fully electric, however, the team realised it was possible to maximise the car's interior space further without an engine up front - resulting in its eventual egg-like shape. 

If you're wondering why the vehicle has an asymmetrical exterior design (its left side sports smaller windows, while bearing 'PORSCHE RENNDIENST' lettering), we also learned that the design decision was made to achieve a cocooning effect on one side, while an unobstructed view out is maintained on the other. 

Built with Level 4/5 autonomy in mind, this was part of the team's overall consideration of what would make the car most comfortable for occupants. The retention of the steering wheel, however, was done out of utmost respect for customers who still want to dictate the car's driving experience. 

Certain elements - such as its asymmetrical design, and envisioned autonomous driving capabilities - make it clear that the Vision Renndienst was designed with its passengers in mind. Still, Porsche has made very sure to include a steering wheel for drivers who prefer to take the helm

Another fun fact: The Vision Renndienst's headlights might now look familiar, but they actually marked one of the first implementations of the iconic four-point principle. That makes the concept one of the pioneers of a design cue that has become synonymous with Porsches today.

Still, for all of its brand-faithful leanings, Porsche is clear that the Vision Renndienst isn't supposed to be your sole vehicle. The brand says the concept would form part of the "perfect" two-car garage - "next to a sports car from Zuffenhausen, of course".

Looking ahead, it's not just the Vision Renndienst that you can look forward to, though, since the month of March will be packed with an entire calendar of events awaiting local fans of the brand.

It should come as no surprise that Porsche Singapore loves a good art car - and visitors of the Porsche Studio Singapore should notice that its car hoist has now gotten a new tenant again in the form of a very special 991.2 991 GT3 R.

Visitors to Porsche Studio Singapore will get to visit a new art car too: The a 991.2 11 GT3 R covered in a livery designed by Cyril Kongo 

Now owned by a private collector in Singapore, this specific car previously competed in the Porsche Sprint Challenge China and Macau Grand Prix, and has since been emblazoned in a unique technicolour coat by the hand of French-Vietnamese artist, Cyril Kongo.

In line with this motorsport theme, the ground floor of the Studio has also welcomed a motorsport-themed 'pit lane', where visitors will be able to browse the latest 'Fanwear' apparel collection from Porsche Motorsport. (Psst - view the 'pit lane' from outside and you'll notice new graphics simulating a pit stop in action too.)

On the note of collections, the Porsche Lifestyle Shop has also gotten a fresh 'Turbo' line. We're told this is inspired by a special gift from Ferdinand Porsche to his sister, Louise Piech: The first prototype 911 'Turbo #1'. 

But it's not just Porsche Studio Singapore itself that is being lit ablaze with activity.

Those landing in Singapore can head straight over to Jewel Changi Airport to see the Vision Gran Turismo concept car up close - this time, crafted in collaboration with Belgian visual artist, Vince Okerman (better known as Vexx).

The March festivities extend to Jewel Changi Airport, where the Vision Gran Turismo, painted by Vexx, is on display beside the HSBC Vortex Fountain

Back when it was unveiled at the close of 2021, the Porsche Vision Gran Turismo was the Design Studio's first concept study created specifically for virtual use - exclusively in Gran Turismo 7 (offered exclusively on PlayStation 4 and 5), where it has been envisioned as a 920kW (in overboost) fully electric supercar. The eagle-eyed should even notice that it holds the honour of being one of the two cover stars of the game's official artwork.

Like the Vision Renndienst, the Vision Gran Turismo was crafted to be unmistakably Porsche-like despite its otherworldly status. Those four-point headlights and integrated air intakes are meant to call the Taycan to mind - as a reference to its all-electric drive - while the rear light strip was also partially inspired by the Taycan. 

Though designed for the virtual world, Vision Gran Turismo was first presented in the flesh at Cologne's gamescon back in 2022, where it was painted live by Vexx. Now fully adorned, and bearing a number of Easter eggs (such as a cartoon-ish horse, and a few PlayStation-inspired details), the car has been on public display since 3 March 2024 at the HSBC Vortex Fountain, and can be visited till 22 March 2024. 

Cars such as the Vision Renndienst and Vision Gran Turismo are part of a larger commitment by Porsche to think not just about tomorrow, but the day after tomorrow

Thinking not just about tomorrow, but about the day after tomorrow, concepts like the Vision Renndienst and Vision Gran Turismo are part of Porsche's dedication to constantly pursuing "experimental visions", which it says are of "essential importance" to the brand.