Porsche blew us away earlier this year with the 918 Spyder hybrid concept, followed up with the impressive 911 GT3 R Hybrid race car, and today confirmed it has built three electric prototypes based on the Boxster--and that it will "definitely" build electric sports cars in the future. Who says hybrids and EVs can't be fun?
And by fun, we mean rubber-burning, nausea-inducing, rip-your-face-off-fast fun. That's the current trajectory for hybrids and EVs at Porsche, and we couldn't be happier. The three electric Boxsters aren't quite up to the task yet, but the data collected from their testing will enable the first of Porsche's all-electric sports cars to be built to the company's exacting standards for performance and quality.
The testbeds are currently being used to evaluate the electric drive components (motors, controllers, etc) and battery systems for their potential in meeting those goals. Michael Macht, Porsche's CEO, is determined. "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 Macht.
Beyond that, however, we don't have any details on the test vehicles themselves. The field testing of the prototypes isn't even planned to start until early 2011. Once the vehicles themselves are initially shaken down, the field test will expand to work on research into user behavior and needs and the required infrastructure needed to support electric Porsche sports cars.
Given the amount of work yet to be done, we'd be surprised to see anything on the road before 2015, but we'll keep our ears to the ground to bring you the latest as the project develops.
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