Porsche Boxster EV To Begin Testing Next Year

Porsche has confirmed that electric prototypes of their Boxster model are currently being evaluated by the company. The Boxster prototypes give a clue to the company’s direction with alternative fuel projects, as Porsche moves from experimenting with hybrid vehicles into fully electric cars.

“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,” said Michael Macht, CEO of Porsche.

Porsche currently offers a Cayenne Hybrid, a 911 GT3R Hybrid race car and has all but confirmed the upcoming 918 Hybrid supercar.

[Source: Porsche]

Hit the jump to read the official press release

PORSCHE DEVELOPS ELECTRIC-POWERED RESEARCH CARS

Electric Boxster prototypes hinting at the future of
Porsche Intelligent Performance begin field tests in early 2011

July 26, 2010 — Furthering the Porsche Intelligent Performance development philosophy of combining high performance with lower fuel consumption and emissions, Porsche AG will begin practical e-mobility tests as part of the Stuttgart Model Region for Electromobility in early 2011.

In the test process, three research cars with all-electric drive based on the Porsche Boxster will provide an initial insight into new electric drive components and battery systems for all-electric vehicle drive. This field test will also provide further findings on the infrastructure required for electromobility, user behaviour and the demands made of future products.

Michael Macht, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Porsche AG, sees this research as absolutely essential to the development of electric drive in Porsche vehicles. “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.”

Porsche’s commitment to electric mobility is evident in the three vehicles introduced earlier this year, each with a hybrid-drive system tailored specifically to its intended use.

The spectacular 918 Spyder concept study is a high-performance mid-engined sports car with plug-in hybrid technology. It combines high-tech breakthroughs in engine technology and electromobility with a truly fascinating range of sporting qualities. Emissions of just 70 g/km CO2 and fuel consumption of just 3 L/100 km come with the performance of a super sports car developing well over 600 horsepower.

The hybrid system of the 911 GT3 R Hybrid has been developed especially for racing, with two 60 kW (82 hp) electric motors on the front axle providing a boost for the 480 hp six-cylinder power unit fitted at the rear. Replacing conventional batteries is an electrical flywheel power storage system which is recharged whenever the driver applies the brakes. The 911 GT3 R Hybrid has already proven its racing qualities in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring.

With the Cayenne S Hybrid, Porsche also offers its first production car able to run under electric power alone. With maximum output of 380 hp, the Cayenne S Hybrid consumes just 8.2 L/100 km in the NEDC cycle and pares CO2 emissions to 193 g/km. The hybrid technology from the Cayenne S Hybrid will also be featured in the Panamera S Hybrid, which will enter the market next year.