Frauscher Porsche electric boat unveiled on Lake Garda
Frauscher Boats and Porsche automobiles have unveiled the first production model of the 850 Fantom Air electric boat the companies announced in July. The new eFantom marries the hull of the Frauscher 850 Fantom Air with the drive technology of the future all-electric Porsche Macan.
The companies hosted sea trials on Italy’s Lake Garda last week and will officially launch the model at the Boot Dusseldorf boat show next January 20-28.
Speaking at the presentation, Detlev von Platen, Member of the Board of Management for Sales and Marketing at Porsche AG, said “This boat is the result of a great collaboration between two passionate companies with a strong tradition and a high standard of innovation.”
“Electric version better than ICE model”
Michael Frauscher, manager of boat production at the shipyard, says Porsche approached the family-owned business in October of 2021. “They were looking for a suitable boat builder who could work with them to bring Porsche technology from the road to the water. We at Frauscher are always looking for first-class technology to increase the performance of our electric boats. Everything came together with this.”
“This boat is a real milestone in the industry,” added Michaels’ brother Stefan, Managing Director of the firm. “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.”
The eFantom Air starts with the standard hull of Frauscher’s 858 Fantom Air day cruiser, then uses components of the forthcoming Porsche Macan’s Premium Platform Electric (PPE) with permanently excited synchronous electric motor (PSM) and associated electronics.
The motor transmits power to a Z-drive (inboard/outboard stern drive) with the 100 kWh lithium battery located under the rear lounge area. 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.
Four modes optimize range, performance
The eFantom has four driving modes: Docking, Range, Sport and Sport Plus. The Docking mode is for harbour driving with speed limited to 8 knots (≈ 9 mph, 15 km.h). The Range setting takes the boat up to the optimum cruising speed of 22 kn (≈25 mph, 41 km/h), the Speed mode allows higher speeds and the Sport Plus mode is capped at 46 kn (53 mph, 85 km/h).
At cruising speed the range on one charge is about 45 kilometres – one hour. Higher speeds reduce range, but while many people get caught up in the top speed of an electric boat, the reality is that a typical boat trip is a mix of slow and high-speeds. The companies say the eFantom can provide a journey time of two to three hours with that kind of usage.
When it comes to recharging, Porsche’s 800-volt technology can intake over 250 kW of DC current at DC fast-charging stations. Under those conditions, the battery can be charged from a 10 per cent state of charge (SoC) to 80 per cent in well under 30 minutes.
The infrastructure for that kind of high speed charging is being built out by companies like Aqua superPower, but Frauscher and Porsche say most charging for now will be done with conventional household and high-voltage sockets that will take a few hours. There is also an 11-kW AC charger on board as standard.
Legends of design
As one would expect from two companies renowned for exquisite design, the Frauscher X Porsche eFantom 850 Air is stunning in every detail.
The open top hull provides room for up to nine passengers with a rear swimming platform leading to a spacious lounge area and two comfortable sunbathing pads. A central aisle connects the back end of the boat with the free-standing helm and the cockpit and the bow has two more inviting upholstered benches. 
Studio F. A. Porsche was responsible for the design of the helmstand, with high-gloss black instrument panel sitting behind a frameless tinted acrylic glass windscreen. The side ends are designed as winglets – practical grab handles that are a stylistic nod to the Porsche 911.
The classic Porsche steering wheel was designed with materials suited to a nautical environment and the two front seats are inspired marine adaptations from Porsche automobiles. All seats are covered with durable artificial leather and the hull, deck and upholstery throughout can be ordered with Porsche’s entire colour palette available to choose from.
Exclusive 1st edition of 25 units
The eFantom is equipped with two folding bimini tops that provide shade on sunny days, a high-end audio system with bluetooth and WiFi connectivity, LED ambient lighting, LED underwater lighting and a cooling compartment. A bow thruster simplifies mooring and casting off. It comes standard along with the electric stainless steel anchor with a stainless steel chain.
There will be an exclusive first edition of the Frauscher x Porsche 850 Fantom Air, 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 the FrauscherXPorsche website. The boat will be built in the Frauscher Shipyard in Ohlsdorf, Austria. Frauscher is also handing the sales logistics and the after sales management.
Frauscher X Porsche Frauscher Boats
