News

Porsche develops electric prototypes

Porsche has offered a glimpse into its future powertrain strategy following the development of three research cars with all-electric drive based on the Boxster model.

The test process for the prototypes will start in early 2011 and is being run as part of the Modellregion Elektromobilität program in Stuttgart, Germany. These three electric Boxsters will provide an important preliminary insight into new electric drive components and battery systems for all-electric vehicle drive. This field test is intended to also provide further findings on the infrastructure required for electro-mobility, user behavior, and the demands made of future products.

Michael Macht, president and CEO of Porsche AG, sees this contribution made by Porsche as absolutely essential. “We will definitely be offering an electric sports car in future. But such a concept only makes sense if it offers performance and a cruising range comparable to that of a sports car today.”

This is not the marque's first foray into electric mobility. For example, the concept study of the 918 Spyder high-performance mid-engined sports car with plug-in hybrid combines breakthroughs in engine technology and electro-mobility with a range of further qualities. Emissions of just 70g/km CO2 with three litres fuel consumption for 100km in the NEDC (equal to 94.1mpg), are combined with power well over 600hp.

In addition, the hybrid system of the 911 GT3 R Hybrid has been developed especially for racing, with two 60kW (82hp) electric motors on the front axle boosting the 480hp six-cylinder combustion engine fitted at the rear. In place of conventional batteries, there is an electrical flywheel power storage system that is recharged whenever the driver applies the brakes and thus delivering energy to the electric motors. The 911 GT3 R Hybrid has already proven its racing qualities in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring.

Porsche Intelligent Performance encompasses a variety of powertrain solutions. Porsche introduced its first production car able to run for short distances under electric power alone in June this year. With maximum output of 380hp, the Cayenne S Hybrid offers fuel consumption on the NEDC cycle of 34.5mpg (8.2L/100km ), and CO2 emissions reduced to 193g/km.

This hybrid technology will also be featured in the Panamera S Hybrid, which is due to enter the market next year.

More News

 Takata dedicates US$14.6 million crash test facility

 Volkswagen Group completes acquisition of Italdesign Giugiaro

 Pininfarina to open Product Development Center in Shanghai

 Mahindra & Mahindra signs MoU with Ssangyong

 Hand-held vibration analyzer launched

View more news stories