Reality check for the Boxter E

Within the large-scale mobility and infrastructure programme “Model region electromobility region Stuttgart”, Porsche is putting its purely electrically powered Boxer E to the test.

The project aims to gain experience with the daily utility of the three electronically powered Boxters, in particular regarding their suitability for daily use and behaviour during driving and charging. These results should then help scientists to identify the requirements for production vehicles as well as for their integration with the local infrastructure.

The Porsche Boxter, a middle-engined sports car, serves as basis for the testing. The open two seater is very light and allows for the crash save mounting of the new components such as the electric machine, the battery and high voltage technology. The Boxter E is powered by up to two electric engines with combined output of 180 kW. The battery has a capacity of 29 kWh. To grant consumers the sports car experience, a conventional combustion engine is deployed, allowing for performance levels of the Boxter S.

Mattias Müller, CEO, states: “Electromobility is one of the central challenges we are facing in the coming years and the engineers working for Porsche want to contribute with their excelence to accomplish this challenge. The Boxer E will serve as a driving laboratory to solve the practical problems of electromobility, as our customers expect it.”

Stuttgart is one of Germany’s eight “Model regions for electromobility”, state funded pilot projects regarding electric vehicles and electric infrastructure that are being that implemented until mid 2011.

Germany’s Minister for Infrastructure, Peter Ramsauer, is quoted:” We need marketable products which inspire and convince the consumer in their daily use. That is why we support the investigation and demonstration of electromobility for daily applications. The electric vehicle which was handed over today, shows that sustainable traffic can go hand-in-hand with driving pleasure.”