Porsche Fuel Cell Vehicle Under Development: Report
Porsche is going green and in a big way.
According to Autocar, the German automaker is preparing a BMW 5 Series competitor that will be available with electric and hydrogen fuel cell variants. Through a series of patent applications filed in Germany, China and the U.S., details of Porsche’s next model are coming in pieces but it appears that it will be based on the Panamera Sport Turismo concept, which debuted in 2012. The luxury sedan will slot in under the existing Panamera and will be built on an adaptation of the company’s upcoming MSB platform.
Expect the electric variant to compete with the Tesla Model S directly, with at least 420 hp and an all-electric range of at least 265 miles. According to patents filed in December last year, Porsche engineers have developed a new structural rear-mounting system for electric drive motors, which will make the powertrain itself part of the “eMSB” structure, helping stiffen the rear end. The company has also patented an “impact plate” that is also part of the platform’s new structure.
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It appears that Porsche is setting up the foundation for its new model so that it can easily incorporate hydrogen fuel cells as well. Rumor has it that the model will take the 718 nameplate for the electric vehicle, while the hydrogen fuel cell model will get the 818 moniker. Expect the model to make an appearance in late 2017 or early 2018 if all goes smoothly for Porsche.
[Source: Autocar]
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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I can't wait to see it in real life