Attention Tesla Model S owners – make sure to check your rearview mirror, because there’s a Porsche->ke1 on fast approach. It’s called the Mission E, and according to a recent report from AutoCar, it’ll be here in less than five years.

The U.K.-based news source reported that Porsche has blessed the all-electric->ke1030 speed machine with an official internal development codename (J1), and that Stefan Weckbach will be leading the charge on development. Dr. Weckbach was previously involved in development of the Boxster.->ke570

With an on-sale date slated for sometime in 2020, the pressure is on to move J1 quickly towards production-ready status, and considering all the new stuff packed under the skin, Dr. Weckbach certainly has his work cut out for him.

Highlights include more than 600 horsepower and well over 300 miles of range per charge. Driving the four-seater will be a lithium-ion battery pack and two electric motors, with the option for a quick charge up to 80 percent capacity in a mere 15 minutes. Built on a totally new platform, the J1 will use AWD and torque vectoring technology for max grip, with a sprint to 60 mph taking less than 3.5 seconds. A run up to 124 mph will take less than 12 seconds.

Sounds like an amazing package, but the question remains – will Porsche be able to deliver?

Continue reading for the full story.

Why it matters

Considering the poor public perception that Volkswagen Auto Group has suffered in past several months, the push for new emission-free vehicles makes a lot of sense. Throw in the fact that the Tesla Model S was the top-selling plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) last year, and conditions certainly seem right for a project like the J1.

In a broader sense, this upcoming Porsche is a potential game changer for the electric car industry. Not only does it further entrench the notion that PEVs can be both fast and sexy, it looks to push PEV technology to new, previously unfathomable levels. In particular, the quick-charging option for 80 percent capacity in just 15 minutes would be huge for electric cars, striking at the heart of one of the biggest barriers to widespread adoption.

So far, all indicators point to Stuttgart’s success. Never mind the fact Porsche has never offered a fully electric vehicle before – in just five years, the marque managed to step into the hybrid game with four individual models, including the Panamera Hybrid, Cayenne Hybrid, 918 Spyder, and 919 prototype racer. What’s more, Porsche claims the J1 has already seen track time at the Nurburgring, posting a time under the eight-minute mark.

Personally, I can’t wait to see this thing in action, as it’ll undoubtedly set the stage for some truly epic battles. Will Tesla’s Insane Mode have what it takes to best the German beast?

Porsche Mission E

Read our full review on the Porsche Mission E here.