Porsche showcases its latest EV technology in this high-end sports boat
The development started only in June but appears to have gone well. Stefan Frauscher, the shipyard’s Managing Director, now finds the electric version “better than the version with an internal combustion engine in all driving characteristics, such as top speed, acceleration and handling”.
This may well be down to Porsche literally watering down its latest technology. The eFantom utilises drive and components derived from the carmaker’s Premium Platform Electric (PPE) – an architecture the upcoming E-Macan will feature as the first Porsche only next year.
As for the boat, it measures nearly nine meters and is based on the Frauscher 858 Fantom Air. Porsche’s onboard technology includes the permanently excited synchronous electric motor with deliberately limited peak power of 400 kW for the eFantom. The power is transmitted via a shaft to the characteristic marine Z-drive in the back of the boat.
The ship controls come in a Porsche-branded box, and the carmaker also added its “signature pre-programmed driving modes”. On the water, skippers may choose between Docking, Range, Sport and Sport Plus modes. All exhibit different curves of the throttle response and other speed limits. For example, when in Docking for harbour driving, the speed is limited to eight knots (15 km/h).
The “optimum cruising speed” is naturally much faster and given at 41 km/h (22 kn). At this speed, the boat has enough range to cruise for about one hour or about 45 kilometres, according to Porsche, and ranges of more than 100 kilometres are possible when driving at hull speed.
This is thanks to the large lithium-ion battery with a gross capacity of 100 kWh, likewise adopted from the Macan and located under the lounge area at the rear end.
The partners expect “typical customer trips with a mix of slow and high-speed travel” which could last two to three hours on a single charge, depending on the driving profile. The top speed is reached in Sport Plus mode and capped at 85 km/h (46 kn).
The carmaker’s proven 800-volt technology also enables DC fast-charging. Porsche has mentioned up to 270 kW for the Macan but delivers no concrete values for the eFantom. The company does behold that “under ideal conditions, the battery can be charged to 80 per cent in well under 30 minutes”. AC charging is also possible, and Frauscher and Porsche consider this the “most common use case as the infrastructure is available in most ports”. The eFantom also has an 11-kW charger on board as standard.
The Frauscher x Porsche 850 Fantom Air will officially debut in January 2024 at the Boot trade show in Düsseldorf, Germany. The partners confirmed an exclusive “First Edition” for production comprising 25 boats, each starting at a rather eyewatering 561,700 euros net. Frauscher is currently taking orders and expects to begin deliveries next year.
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