Porsche Boxster E: The first electric sports car from Stuttgart
This 2011 concept was ahead of its time for the Stuttgart-based company. It has up to 245 PS and can travel around 105 miles
In the coming months, Porsche will present the 718 Boxster and Cayman 100% electric vehicles. This is a real revolution for the German brand, which will equip its sports cars with a battery pack for the first time.
However, to be fair, the company has been toying with the idea for some time. In fact, the first-ever electric Boxster dates back to 2011 in concept form. Here is its story.
The first experiment
Shown at the Michelin Challenger Bibendum in Berlin - a forum dedicated to sustainable mobility - the Boxster E comes in two versions, with the more powerful one featuring two electric motors, one for each axle.
The two units develop a total power output of (245 PS) and a total maximum torque of 540 Nm at a maximum engine speed of around 12,000 rpm. This powertrain allows a 0-62 mph sprint of 5.5 seconds, while the top speed is limited to 124 mph.
In the case of the 'base' variants, there is only the rear motor, for an output of (122 PS) and 270 Nm, a 0-62 mph acceleration of 9.8 seconds and a top speed of 93 mph.
Porsche Boxster E Concept (2011)
The Porsche Boxster E Concept seen from the side
Regardless of the model, the battery is lithium-iron-phosphate and has a capacity of 29 kWh (26 kWh net). According to the German brand, this configuration allows a range of about 105 miles in the old NEDC cycle, while the total weight of the car is 1,600 kg (of which 341 kg is given by the battery).
The battery and power unit components are connected to two water-cooling circuits. As with the conventional power unit, the heat exchangers are housed behind the front air intakes. In addition, the battery is anchored at the same points in the body structure where the combustion engine is fixed in order not to alter the weight distribution.
The charging port is located at the front of the Porsche and the maximum speed is 3.3 kW.
Dedicated instrumentation
Aesthetically, the Boxster E is identical to a combustion Boxster and can also be fitted with a braking system with carbon-ceramic discs. Inside, however, there are a few changes. In place of the rev counter, there is a special display called E-Power that shows energy use and the percentage that is recovered when braking.
The customised instrument cluster for the Boxster E
Among other features in the instrument cluster, the right-hand TFT display acts as an intelligent range management system, displaying useful driving information. These include the remaining range indicator and a sort of 'driving assistant' that indicates how many kilometres can be gained by switching off the air conditioning.
Of course, it is very unlikely that the features of this concept will be taken over by the electric production model. Powertrain technology has evolved significantly since 2011 and it is likely that the first real battery-powered 718 Boxster will stand out in several respects.
Porsche concepts:
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