Sports car manufacturer Porsche has partnered with Frauscher Shipyard to jointly develop an electric sports boat with the drive technology of the future all-electric Porsche Macan. The first Frauscher x Porsche 850 Fantom Air speed boat is already ready for the initial water test drives on Lake Garda in Italy.
Porsche has adapted and further developed its drive technology designed for road vehicles for use on the water. The Frauscher x Porsche 850 Fantom Air is built on the same Premium Platform Electric (PPE) as the second-gen Porsche Macan EV. This includes a state-of-the-art permanently excited synchronous electric motor (PSM), whose peak power for use in the eFantom has been limited to 400 kW, and the associated power electronics. There’s also a shaft that transmits the power from the electric motor to the characteristic marine Z-drive.
The electric motor sits in the back of the boat, while the controls are housed in a waterproof box emblazoned with the Porsche logo. The lithium-ion battery with a gross capacity of 100 kWh, likewise adopted from the Macan, is also located under the lounge area at the rear end.
Despite its sporty overall orientation, the Frauscher x Porsche eFantom glides comfortably over the water. It even uses the same driving modes like Range, Sport, and Sport Plus settings, plus a dedicated Docking feature.
The sports boat has different speeds for its type of activities – the speed is limited to eight knots (the equivalent of 15 km/h) for harbor driving, a 22 knots (41 km/h) cruising speed with a range of one hour or about 45 km (28 miles). When driving at hull speed, ranges of more than 100 km (62 miles) are possible, and in Sport Plus mode, the top speed reaches to 46 knots (85 km/h).
Depending on the driving profile, typical customer trips with a mix of slow and high-speed travel allow a journey time of two to three hours.
Thanks to the 800-volt technology from the Macan EV, the electric sports boat can be charged with over 250 kW of DC current at DC fast-charging stations. Under ideal conditions, the battery can be charged from 10% to 80% in well under 30 minutes. There is also an 11-kW AC charger on board as standard. The Frauscher x Porsche 850 Fantom Air is 8.67-metre-long, has a 2.49-metre-wide hull, and offers space for up to nine passengers.
The initial plan is for an exclusive first edition of 25 units, which can be ordered from Frauscher starting at €561,700 net and which are to be delivered to the first customers in 2024.
