Porsche’s collaboration with the Austrian Frauscher boatyard enters its second round: following the open day cruiser 850 Fantom Air, the Frauscher x Porsche 850 Fantom is now coming as a classic runabout with a closed foredeck and cabin. The new sports boat also features the all-electric drive from the Porsche Macan Turbo. On the occasion of the premiere of the new boat at this year’s boot in Düsseldorf, SeaHelp spoke with Jörg Kerner, series developer of the Porsche E-Macan, about the future on the water.
Being a pioneer in sustainable mobility is Porsche’s stated goal, and an ambition that is not limited to racing and road vehicles. Together with the renowned Frauscher boatyard in Austria, the sports car manufacturer has developed an electric boat that is set to impress with typical Porsche E-Performance on the water – now available in two different versions.
While two-door Porsche sports cars are available in a variety of forms, including coupes and convertibles, Frauscher offers a choice between the Runabout and the Air – that is, between an enclosed foredeck, a classic look, a cabin under the foredeck, or a center steering position with seating and berths at the bow as well. After the open eFantom, the closed version is now also being presented. Frauscher x Porsche 850 Fantom is now also being offered as part of the limited First Edition, which is limited to 25 pieces.
“Like our sports cars, the eFantom stands for an exclusive experience and extraordinary performance. As an elegant day cruiser with an innovative, powerful drive, it sets new standards in the maritime world. We will continue along this path together with Frauscher and the new 850 Fantom,” says Lutz Meschke, Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board and Member of the Executive Board for Finance and IT at Porsche AG.
Both 8.67-meter-long and 2.49-meter-wide electric boats impress with impressive acceleration, sporty pulling power, superior performance, timeless design and luxurious equipment. All attributes that also apply to the Porsche Macan, which has set out to be the sportiest model in its segment and is the source of the drive for the eFantom. Porsche is using the most powerful version of the all-electric SUV – the Macan Turbo’s rear-axle motor – for the technology transfer from road to water.
On the occasion of the premiere of the new boat at this year’s boot in Düsseldorf, SeaHelp spoke with Jörg Kerner, series developer of the Porsche E-Macan, about e-mobility on the water and why electric motors are excellently suited as boat drives.
How important is this boat for Porsche?
Jörg Kerner: It is very important for us to show with this boat that we are committed to a lasting partnership with Frauscher. It is important to know that this is the drive of the rear axle of the Macan Turbo; the electric motor is the rear axle motor of the Macan Turbo. It sits in its own customized housing, but all the active parts are identical, as are the inverter and the battery, and the entire charging system is one-to-one from the vehicle. I think that’s simply unique, and of course it means you can give an eight-year warranty on the battery.
What are the advantages of an electric drive on the water?
Jörg Kerner: I think that an electric motor basically has exactly the properties that a boat needs: a relatively high torque at low speed to get going with good performance. Even if you want to water ski with such boats, you need good take-off behavior, which is an excellent match for electric mobility. If you look at combustion engines and compare them to electric motors, you can see that combustion engines take time to get up to speed, while the electric boat is already tens of meters away. The basic principle of the electric motor is simply extremely good – and we want the latest technology on the water, too.
What limits the performance of the electric drive?
Jörg Kerner: The main limitation of the torque is the Z-drive. If we were to use a larger one, the efficiency would simply be significantly worse, and it would then have an extreme effect on the range. That’s why we believe that this mixture is actually exactly the right one. At some point, it just doesn’t make sense anymore, because it would have a very strong impact on the range, and we believe that this is the best compromise at the moment. It was important for us to use the latest product to demonstrate a sustainable powertrain. This is the second boat we’ve made together, and it shows how strong our interest in working together is.
Are electric drives the future on the water?
Jörg Kerner: Whether there will only be electric drives on the water one day is a difficult question. I often get asked the same question about the road. I just think that if you look at it from the point of view of social acceptance, from the responsibility we have for our environment, then this is exactly the right way forward. On the water, of course, one thing must be made very clear: the issues of range and charging infrastructure.
But let me give you an example from Lake Garda: there are some people who are very disturbed by the loud noise of combustion engines, but of course e-boats are accepted quite differently there. I believe that you should do something yourself before someone else does it by regulation. You should always be one step ahead, then nobody has to ban anything, but you can show that it works.
Let’s stick with the example of Lake Garda – if I’m correctly informed, three new fast-charging stations will be installed there this year. If you install two or three of these stations, you actually already have enough to be able to use the entire southern part of Lake Garda without restriction. You know how you like to quickly grab a coffee on the promenade? If you charge your boat while you’re at it, you won’t even have enough time to calmly finish your cappuccino and eat your piece of cake, it happens so quickly. That’s why I believe that we will quickly resolve the issue of restrictions.
It’s a bit like on the road. The most important thing is that it has to be fun. You can only make changes with the new technology if it’s fun. And we have amply demonstrated on the road that e-mobility can be fun. On the water, it’s only a matter of time. We are on the right track, also thanks to the great cooperation with Frauscher.
INFO FRAUSCHER x PORSCHE 850 FANTOM
The PSM engine delivers up to 400 kW in the boat. It is located in the hull of the boat and can be controlled directly via a Z-drive. The control units are housed in a box with Porsche lettering to protect them from water. Thanks to the latest power electronics, the efficiency of the engine has been optimized and the use of silicon carbide in the pulse inverter enables particularly high switching frequencies.
The high-voltage battery with a gross capacity of 100 kWh also comes from the Macan. Wire-rope dampers as suspension elements absorb the immense shocks that inevitably arise in waves and at high speed. The new 850 Fantom offers space for up to seven passengers. The bathing platform at the stern is adjoined by a spacious sunbathing area with comfortable cushions. The Studio F. A. Porsche in Zell am See and Style Porsche in Weissach were instrumental in designing the cockpit. In the cabin, generous seating and lounging areas invite you to linger. The first Frauscher x Porsche 850 Fantom, presented in Düsseldorf, is painted in the Porsche color Oakgreen Metallic Neo and features an interior in Truffle Brown with orange stitching.
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