Welcome to the new era of sustainable mobility featuring the Frauscher x Porsche 850 Fantom Air, an all-electric yacht that combines the ethos of the German automaker and the Austrian shipyard with clean technology and top-tier luxury.
The pioneer of electric luxury auto-inspired yachts?
Electric nautical vehicles are not new. Every shipyard from Arc to Duffy, Candela and Iguana has been building electric vessels for some time now, whether it is the hybrid 2015 Savannah superyacht or Hinckley’s all-electric Dasher Yachts which debuted 2 years after.
However, in spite of the ubiquity of luxury ‘autoyachts’, mass-produced, electric-powered nautical vessels from automakers have been non-existent, until now. The Frauscher x Porsche 850 Fantom Air is the first fully electric yacht made in collaboration with a luxury car brand that is not a one-off model.
Built by Frauscher Shipyard, powered by Porsche
This new electric boat from Porsche and Frauscher is based on the Frauscher 858 Fantom Air daycruiser, with the same 8.67-metre long and 2.49-metre wide hull. But that is where its similarities stop.
Porsche has fitted the 850 Fantom Air with its Premium Platform Electric (PPE) drive technology, the same tech its future all-electric Macan will use. What this means is that it will be powered by “the lithium-ion high voltage battery with a total capacity of around 100 kWh, a permanently excited synchronous electric motor (PSM) of the latest generation, and the related power electronics.”
Porsche’s 800-volt technology also means that the boat can be charged at fast DC-charging stations, although this does not eliminate AC charging. Equipping the 850 Fantom Air with both charging options translates to increased flexibility for its owners, giving them peace of mind that they would not be stranded no matter where they are.
Frauscher x Porsche 850 Fantom Air: an e-Porsche for the seas
For now, neither brand has confirmed top speeds or range. But, considering its powertrain, we should expect top speeds of up to 20knots and a range of about 60nm.
Porsche is however promising that the same features that distinguish its fully-electric Taycan sports saloon were put at the forefront of the manufacturing of the boat which are “impressive acceleration, abundant pulling power, superior, continuously available performance, and inspiring design.”
“Our boat is perfect as a daycruiser for a relaxed swimming trip, for example, or as a tender for a super yacht to make an excursion to a coastal town,” further confirms Stefan Frauscher, CEO of Marketing & Sales at the Frauscher Shipyard.
If this sounds good to you and you are looking to snag one for yourself, you would have to hurry: Frauscher x Porsche 850 Fantom Air will be limited to only 25 units and can be pre-ordered from Frauscher.