The Stuttgart based sports car manufacturer has just announced that electric drive vehicles will start playing an important role in the company’s future, as lower fuel consumption and emissions will become a priority for the Porsche Intelligent Performance center.
The German car maker will begin tampering the EV segment by using three electric Porsche Boxster cars which are meant to offer initial insight on the electric drive components and battery systems, and use tat collected data in future products.
Michael Macht, President and Chief Executive Officer at Porsche AG said that "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."
Even though some might think Porsche is stepping away from its core values, the 918 Spyder concept that was recently revealed proves that high-performance can still be achieved in cars that use hybrid or electric powertrains.
Porsche press release :
Stuttgart. Electric drive will take on an
increasingly important role in the further enhancement of Porsche
Intelligent Performance. To combine greater efficiency with even lower
fuel consumption and emissions, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart,
is working consistently not only on the ongoing development of hybrid
concepts already in regular production, but also on practical tests as
part of the Stuttgart Model Region for Electromobility, using three
research cars with all-electric drive based on the Porsche Boxster.
In the test process, these three electric Boxsters are
to provide an initial first important insight into new electric drive
components and battery systems for all-electric vehicle drive. This
field test intended to also provide further findings on the
infrastructure required for electromobility, user behaviour and the
demands made of future products, is to start in early 2011.
Michael
Macht, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Porsche AG, sees
this contribution made by Porsche as absolutely essential: “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.”
Porsche has been committed to electric mobility for a
long time, thus helping to preserve the environment and save resources
in our world: The spectacular concept study of the 918 Spyder
high-performance mid-engined sports car with plug-in hybrid combines
high-tech breakthroughs in engine technology and electromobility with a
truly fascinating range of further qualities. Emissions otherwise to be
found only on a super-mini of just 70 g/km CO2 with three litres fuel
consumption for 100 kilometres in the NEDC (equal to 94.1 mpg imp), come
with the performance of a super sportscar developing well over 600
horsepower.
The hybrid system of the 911 GT3 R Hybrid has been
developed especially for racing, with two 60 kW (82 hp) electric motors
on the front axle boosting the 480 hp six-cylinder power unit fitted at
the rear. Replacing conventional batteries there is an electrical
flywheel power storage system re-charged whenever the driver applies the
brakes and thus delivering energy to the electric motors. The 911 GT3 R
Hybrid has already proven its racing qualities in the 24 Hours of
Nürburgring.
Introducing the Cayenne S Hybrid, Porsche also
offers the first production car in the range able to run under electric
power alone. With maximum output of 380 hp, the Cayenne S Hybrid makes
do in the NEDC cycle with just 8.2 ltr/100 km (equal to 34.5 mpg imp),
and CO2 emissions reduced to a mere 193 g/km. This hybrid technology
will also be featured in the future Panamera S Hybrid due to enter the
market next year. 

Source: Porsche