Porsche CEO Matthias Muller has said that development work on the electric Boxster E prototype unveiled in 2011 has never stopped and will continue.
Porsche stripped a Boxster of the usual six-cylinder engine, in its place installing a 341kg lithium-ion battery pack feeding two electric motors. The zero emissions drivetrain delivered 241hp and a massive 398lb ft of torque. As a result it was impressively quick, and the sprint from 0-62mph took 5.5 seconds while top speed was 124mph, making it more than a match for the standard Boxster at all but the highest speeds. A range of between 100 and 110 miles also put in on par with some of the strongest electric cars currently on sale.
A pure electric production car from the brand in the future would need to be significantly more impressive, however, particularly in the wake of what’s been achieved with the 918 Spyder plug-in hybrid. But unlike the 918 Spyder an electric Porsche would be completely emissions-free at point-of-use, as Müller says he is vehemently against the idea of a range extender. The technology boosts range with the help of an onboard gasoline generator in cars like the Chevrolet Volt and BMW i3, at least doubling overall range.
“In my opinion the range of purely electric vehicle would have to be at least 300km, better 400km,” he said.
Those figures might have seemed far-fetch not long ago, but Audi’s recent revelation that the R8 e-tron will not only make production but will boast a 280-mile range will have undoubtedly made Stuttgart pay attention. The standard R8 has been a close rival to the 911 since it arrived in 2007 and Porsche may feel that a response is needed. Porsche has a growing expertise in drivetrain electrification, with the Panamera S E-Hybrid already on sale and similar versions of the Cayenne and smalller Macan SUV due out over the next two years. Along with Volkswagen’s research into battery-cell technology, with the potential to quadruple range with little impact on packaging, the brand seems well-positioned to take a lead in electric performance vehicles.
