Three Boxsters are due to test new electric drive components and battery systems for a proposed all-electric Porsche sportscar.
Porsche AG is about to start testing Boxster models equipped with an all-electric powertrain, which could eventually supplement its hybrid models that are currently starting production.
The newly confirmed program is part of the Stuttgart Model Region for Electromobility initiative, which is being advocated by a local German government.
“We will definitely be offering an electric sports car in future. But such a concept only makes sense if it offers product qualities typical of a Porsche,” said Michael Macht, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Porsche AG.
Defining “Porsche” has provoked quite a debate about the Southern German automaker, which made its name with small, fuel-efficient, but extremely capable variants of Volkswagens, but has since thrived as the maker of four-door sedans and sport utility vehicles.
Along the way Porsche has also produced some of the most powerful and least fuel efficient sports cars in the world. (See First Look: Porsche 911 GT2 RS)
Volkswagen is in the process of taking over Porsche after a reckless attempt by the storied Zuffenhausen maker to takeover VW with borrowed money collapsed along with the global economy.
Three electric Boxsters are due to test new electric drive components and battery systems for a proposed all-electric vehicle. This field test is also intended to provide further findings on the infrastructure required for electro-mobility, according to Porsche.
The company faces many challenges going forward as emissions, fuel economy and CO2 regulations tighten. For years the company simply paid gas guzzler fines of millions of dollars per year in the U.S. This is an option that is increasingly unattractive as governments around the world get tougher and, more importantly, buyers turn green and resist the fees that used to be simply passed along to them.
To its, well, credit, Porsche has said that no Panamera sedan will be subject to a gas-guzzler tax in the U.S. ( See Porsche Adds V6 Engines to Panamera Sedans andPorsche Panamera Debuts in Europe at Frankfurt ) The existing V8 models, the Panamera S, the Panamera 4S and the Panamera Turbo are only 400 to 500 horsepower sports sedans, rated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at 16 city and 24 highway. The turbo is 15/23.
The soon to be launched, Cayenne S Hybrid is Porsche’s first production car able to run under electric power alone. With maximum output of 380 horsepower, the Cayenne S Hybrid in the NEDC cycle uses 8.2 liters/100 km and CO2 emissions reduced to a 193 g/km. This hybrid technology will also be used in the future Panamera S Hybrid due to enter the market next year.