First Porsche/Frauscher eFantom e-boat ready

Sports car manufacturer Porsche and Frauscher Shipyard say their first production model of the 850 Fantom Air electric sports boat is ready for test drives on Lake Garda in Italy.

It features drive technology for the future electric Porsche Macan, has 400kW power, can reach 85km/h, and has 800-volt technology for fast charging.

“This boat is the result of a great collaboration between two passionate companies with a strong tradition and a high standard of innovation,” says Porsche AG sales and marketing board management member Detlev von Platen in presenting the first production model.

The 850 Fantom Air uses components of the premium platform electric (PPE) on which the new Macan is based and includes a 100kWh lithium-ion battery plus four driving modes (Docking, Range, Sport and Sport Plus) featuring different speed limits.

A 41km/h cruising speed provides about an hour or 45km range, while driving at hull speed ranges of more than 100km are possible, says Porsche.

Typical customer trips with a mix of slow and high-speed travel allow a journey time of two to three hours, depending on the driving profile, it adds.

“This boat is a real milestone in the industry,” says Frauscher Shipyard managing director Stefan Frauscher.

The e-boat can be charged with more than 250kW at DC fast-charging stations, from 10% to 80% in under 30 minutes.

AC charging at conventional household and high-voltage sockets is also possible and will, according to Frauscher and Porsche experts, be the most common use case as the infrastructure is available in most ports.

An 11kW AC charger is on board as standard while charging ports are on the front side of the left bench.

Studio F. A. Porsche designed the helm stand.

A high-gloss black instrument panel sits behind the frameless tinted acrylic glass windscreen.

Five analogue gauges provide an overview of important data, while a typical Porsche steering wheel is designed with materials suited to the nautical environment.

The start button is to the left of the wheel, and the two front seats offer lateral support, with raised backrests, integrated headrests and an embroidered crest.

The 850 Fantom Air is based on the Frauscher 858 Fantom Air day-cruiser, the hull 8.67 metres long and 2.49 metres wide with space for up to nine passengers.

A rear swimming platform leads to a lounge with two sunbathing pads.

A central aisle connects the boat’s back end with the free-standing helm and the cockpit.

Two more upholstered benches are in the front end, while a wide range of colours is offered.

The eFantom has two folding bimini tops providing shade on sunny days.

Also standard is a high-end audio system with Bluetooth and wi-fi connectivity, which can be operated via the 12-inch multi-information display.

An echo sounder and chart plotter are integrated into the display concept.

A bow thruster simplifies mooring and casting off and comes standard along with the electric stainless-steel anchor with a stainless-steel chain, LED ambient lighting, LED underwater lighting and a cooling compartment.

The “First Edition” of 25 boats can be ordered now from NZ$985,756 (561,700 euros), expected to be delivered to the first customers from 2024.

The Frauscher x Porsche 850 Fantom Air has its official world premiere in January 2024 at the “boot” trade fair in Düsseldorf.

The boat will be built in the Frauscher Shipyard in Ohlsdorf, Austria, while Frauscher is also handing the sales logistics and the after sales management.

Interested parties can click here to register.