Porsche with cabin
It’s always impressive when partner brands reveal their cards gradually. How many enthusiastic reviews and awards did the open-bow electric boat from Frauscher and Porsche receive! You wonder: a wonderful project, but will it develop further or remain a one-time, self-sufficient initiative? Did the two brands create a successful boat and then go their separate ways? And suddenly, it turns out they had an ace up their sleeve for the next big move: a cabin version. When the novelty was presented at the Düsseldorf exhibition, a Frauscher representative confidently stated: “Meet the first Porsche in the world with a toilet.” Around this sparkling technical marvel in a noble green shade, visitors could always be found at the boat show.
Frauscher x Porsche 850 Fantom is the embodiment of speed and elegance on the water. Its wide, squat hull, bold vertical bow, and smooth lines along the side, as if drawn with a single stroke, unmistakably reveal it as a sports car transferred to the water. Its deep-V hull cuts through the waves. Four longitudinal and one transverse strakes provide exceptional stability, allowing the Fantom to maneuver confidently at any speed and in any weather.
The placement of the electric motor is identical for both versions. Frauscher’s engineers and designers had to work hard to fit the massive motor and battery from the Porsche Macan, adapted for a marine environment.
As Michael Frauscher, co-owner of the family shipyard overseeing production and development of new models, explains, the team faced two types of challenges. First, they had to meet both the required boat weight and engine power. Second, they had to ensure onboard comfort was not compromised. Simply put, it was a puzzle related to layout: how to achieve the same impressive performance as the prototype — the Frauscher 858 Fantom with an internal combustion engine — while maintaining the target weight?
To transfer the spirit of speed from asphalt to water, Porsche utilized the heart of its most powerful electric vehicle — the Macan Turbo. The synchronous motor with permanent magnet excitation is ready to unleash peak power of 400 kW on the water. The shaft transmits power from the electric motor to the characteristic marine Z-drive.
As in Porsche cars, preset modes are available to adjust the vessel's behavior and limit speed: "Docking," "Long Distance," "Sport," and "Sport Plus." For example, in "Docking" mode, the harbor speed is limited to 8 knots. The cruising speed is 22 knots. But what kind of Porsche would it be without using its full power! The "Sport Plus" mode allows the boat to reach its maximum. Achieving 49 knots for an electric boat is an impressive feat.
“The marine environment places higher demands on durability than the automotive industry,” explains Frauscher. “Other challenges include shock absorption, temperature fluctuations, humid climates, and proximity to saltwater. However, the most significant difference is that an electric boat operates for extended periods with much higher output power than a car.
This is because water resistance is much greater than that of a road surface. Thus, cooling the transmission and battery is also a more complex task compared to cars.”
The lithium-ion battery with a total capacity of 100 kWh is also borrowed from the Macan. The battery is securely housed within the hull, where Porsche engineers carefully protected it from the relentless effects of the marine environment. Charging the electric boat from 10% to 80% can be done in less than half an hour — under ideal circumstances and using a powerful 270-kilowatt DC fast charging station. Away from specialized stations, a regular socket will suffice. The standard configuration includes an 11 kW charger. Charging ports are elegantly integrated into the base of the left seat.
The engine compartment is hidden under an impressive sunbed spanning the entire width of the hull between the swim platform and cockpit.
The main deck layout, as befits a runabout, is simple and elegant. In front of the sunbed is a wide sofa stretching from side to side, seemingly inviting serene relaxation. It can be complemented with a table if desired. Two swivel chairs at the dashboard complete the picture. Nothing excessive to clutter the space or disrupt the refined style.
Teak wood is everywhere, more than on many classic boats. The noble wood plank flooring stretches from the aft swim platform, including the folding ladder, to the bow, warming every step with its charm.
The two front seats from F.A. Porsche studio are not only comfortable but also pleasing to the eye. Your hand naturally rests on the armrest, while the high, soft backrest with an adjustable headrest provides a feeling of complete comfort. Upholstered in premium faux leather, their headrests are adorned with embroidered Porsche crests, instantly recognizable worldwide.
Unlike the Air version with a central control console, the seats here are shifted to the sides, convenient for taller passengers. The minimalist dashboard and windshield were designed by F.A. Porsche studio. The glossy black dashboard, like the mirror-like surface of a night lake, rests beneath the curved dome of the windshield, made of durable tinted acrylic. Seamless and frameless, it resembles rimless sunglasses through which the world appears brighter and clearer. Five round analog gauges above the steering wheel unmistakably hint at the boat's sporty character, evoking associations with a sports car dashboard. Two 12-inch multisensory displays show all necessary information about the boat's systems, navigation maps, and sonar readings. The steering wheel, inheriting Porsche's trademark features, is wrapped in faux leather resistant to salty splashes and relentless sea winds.
In the center of the control panel are hinged doors leading to a triangular cabin. There are no portholes, but it is bathed in soft LED lighting. Along the sides are wide sofas with a toilet and storage compartments underneath. Here you can store sports equipment and spend the night.
Frauscher is synonymous with limitless customization. In addition to the obvious choice of hull color and upholstery, the company offers many options for finishing details.
The first hull presented in Düsseldorf adopted the color palette typical of the Porsche Macan. The boat's hull shimmered in deep green metallic Porsche Oakgreen Metallic Neo, while the faux leather upholstery beckoned with a warm truffle-brown shade accented by orange stitching.
Like the Air version, this runabout was tested on Italy's Lake Garda and in the sea near the French Riviera. It effortlessly covered the distance from Monaco to Saint-Tropez with just one recharge in Cannes.
Here we have an electric boat ready to accommodate up to seven adventure-seekers. It almost begs for additions: sensors measuring the degree of fun and displaying readings on the dashboard, and an electronic guide with cocktail recipes to make every evening unforgettable.
