Porsche Supercar News: Five Forgotten Concepts Before The Mid-Engine Reveal

The official debut of the Porsche Supercar News marks a defining milestone. Porsche just confirmed what enthusiasts have been begging for: a new mid-engine supercar platform, with an official preview locked in for October 15th. However, before we get excited about what’s coming, let’s talk about what never was. The Stuttgart automaker’s 2020 ‘Unseen’ archive revealed 15 previously unpublished designs spanning 2005 to 2019—and five of those concepts represent the most tantalizing what-ifs in modern automotive history. These weren’t half-baked sketches. They were full-scale models, meticulously crafted by Porsche’s design team, yet abandoned before reaching production. It’s a masterclass in creative frustration.

The 917 Living Legend: Pure Nostalgia

First up: the 917 Living Legend, a 1:1 clay model that reimagines the legendary 917 KH that dominated Le Mans in 1970. Therefore, Porsche engineers used the 918 Spyder as the technical foundation, but wrapped it in bodywork inspired by that iconic race car—high fenders, low seating position, aggressive stance. The result? A machine that looks like it escaped from 1970 and somehow arrived in 2019. Unfortunately, it never progressed beyond the clay phase.

Furthermore, the 906 Living Legend took an even more radical approach. Based on the original 1966 Porsche 906—Porsche’s first street-legal race car—this concept featured a split-body design that channeled air to a mid-mounted engine. The 906 Living Legend reached the hard model stage, meaning the design had advanced further than its 917 sibling. However, production never materialized.

The 919 Street: Racer For The Road

Then there’s the 919 Street, based on the 919 Hybrid LMP1 that won Le Mans three consecutive times (2015-2017). Porsche envisioned this as an ultra-exclusive series for wealthy racing drivers. In fact, the 919 Street remained a 1:1 clay model, complete with the dorsal stabilizer perched atop the roof—a detail that screams how seriously Porsche took this exercise. Yet it never left the studio.

Vision 918 RS & Vision 920: The Extremes

The Vision 918 RS explored what a next-generation 918 Spyder might look like with modern aerodynamics and hybrid technology. Meanwhile, the Vision 920 represented the most extreme interpretation—a hypercar with central cockpit, roof-mounted air intake, and inboard front struts. Remarkably, it was even slated for Gran Turismo 7 before Porsche axed the idea. Both remained concept models, never reaching production.

These five masterpieces represent Porsche’s design philosophy at its finest: exploring what legendary race cars would become as modern road machines. Yet all five remain locked in the archives. Now, as Porsche Supercar News prepares for the October 15th reveal, the question burns: will this new mid-engine supercar finally escape the design studio, or will it join the graveyard of beautiful concepts? According to Porsche’s official website, the upcoming platform will be “heavily based on the current 911’s architecture.” That’s promising—but we’ve heard that before.

Ultimately, Porsche’s design vault proves one thing: the Stuttgart automaker knows how to dream bigger than anyone else. The only question is whether they’ll finally build one of those dreams.

Written By

Marcus Vance

Senior Track & Performance Editor at Auto News Magazine. Veteran automotive journalist specializing in chassis dynamics, apex telemetry, track-day specials, and high-revving mechanical purity.

View all articles by Marcus Vance →