Sports car manufacturer Porsche and Frauscher Shipyard have presented the first production model of the 850 Fantom Air. The jointly developed electric sports boat with the drive technology of the future all-electric Porsche Macan was ready for initial test drives on Lake Garda.
International media and interested parties had the opportunity to test the new Frauscher x Porsche 850 Fantom Air in Italy for the first time. Equipped with the powertrain technology of the forthcoming all-electric Porsche Macan, the electric sports boat offers exceptional handling characteristics.
“This boat is the result of a great collaboration between two passionate companies with a strong tradition and a high standard of innovation,” said Detlev von Platen, Member of the Board of Management for Sales and Marketing at Porsche AG, during a presentation of the first production model on Lake Garda. “The eFantom offers everything that Frauscher and Porsche products have always promised: outstanding performance and luxurious experiences, the highest quality and exclusive, timeless design.”
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 uses components of the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) on which the new Macan is based. 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. A shaft 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. For the suspension in the support frame, the experts at Porsche opted for wire rope mounts, which are particularly good at absorbing the shocks that inevitably occur while driving fast and in waves. The Frauscher x Porsche eFantom glides comfortably over the water despite its sporty overall orientation.
Similar to on-road vehicles from Porsche, pre-programmed driving modes can be used to select the appropriate drive characteristics depending on the situation. The eFantom offers the Docking, Range, Sport and Sport Plus settings. The modes change the characteristic curve of the throttle response while also featuring different speed limits. For example, in Docking mode for harbour driving, the speed is limited to eight knots (the equivalent of 15 km/h).
The optimum cruising speed is 41 km/h (22 kn). At this speed, a battery charge can be used for cruising for about one hour or about 45 kilometres. When driving at hull speed, ranges of more than 100 kilometres are possible. The top speed is reached in Sport Plus mode and is capped at 85 km/h (46 kn). Typical customer trips with a mix of slow and high-speed travel allow a journey time of two to three hours, depending on the driving profile. “This boat is a real milestone in the industry. The electric version of the Fantom Air is better than the version with an internal combustion engine in all driving characteristics, such as top speed, acceleration and handling – and at the same time locally emission-free,” said Stefan Frauscher, Managing Director of Frauscher Shipyard.
Thanks to the 800-volt technology from Porsche, the electric 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 a 10 per cent state of charge (SoC) to 80 per cent in well under 30 minutes. AC charging at conventional household and high-voltage sockets is also possible and will, according to Frauscher and Porsche experts, be the most common use case as the infrastructure is available in the most ports. There is also an 11-kW AC charger on board as standard. The charging ports are located on the front side of the left bench.
But the electric sports boat is not just powered by Porsche. Studio F. A. Porsche was also responsible for the design of the helmstand. The high-gloss black instrument panel sits behind the frameless tinted acrylic glass windscreen. The side ends are designed as winglets – stylistically a nod to the 911 and at the same time are practical grab handles. Five analogue gauges on the upper level of the instrument panel underline the sports car look and provide an overview of the most important data. On board is a typical Porsche steering wheel that was designed with materials suited to the nautical environment. The artificial-leather-clad rim is more resistant to salt water. In classic Porsche fashion, the start button is to the left of the wheel. The two front seats have been designed by the team at Studio F. A. Porsche. In keeping with the high E-Performance, they offer plentyof lateral support. With raised backrests, integrated headrests and an embroidered crest, their look is inspired by the sports seats in road vehicles.
The Frauscher x Porsche 850 Fantom Air is based on the Frauscher 858 Fantom Air day cruiser. It retains its 8.67-metre-long and 2.49-metre-wide hull almost unchanged on the outside and therefore also offers space for up to nine passengers. The swimming platform at the rear leads to a generous lounge area with two comfortable sunbathing pads. A central aisle connects the back end of the boat with the free-standing helm and the cockpit. Two more upholstered benches in the front end are equally inviting for relaxation. The seats are covered with durable artificial leather. Customers can individually configure their boat from a wide range of colours.
The eFantom is also equipped with two folding bimini tops that provide shade on sunny days. Also standard is a high-end audio system with bluetooth and WiFi connectivity. It can be operated via the 12-inch multi-information display. An echo sounder and chart plotter are integrated into the display concept. A bow thruster simplifies mooring and casting off. It comes standard along with the electric stainless steel anchor with a stainless steel chain, LED ambient lighting, LED underwater lighting and a cooling compartment. Just as no two Porsche road models are the same, individuality is also very much in demand for boats. The upholstery can be ordered in various colours, as can the hull and deck. The entire colour palette that Porsche offers for its road vehicles is available for this purpose.
The Frauscher x Porsche 850 Fantom Air will celebrate its official world premiere in January 2024 at the “boot” trade fair in Düsseldorf. 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 from 2024. Interested parties can register at frauscherxporsche.com. The boat will be built in the Frauscher Shipyard in Ohlsdorf, Austria. Frauscher is also handing the sales logistics and the after sales management.
