Porsche Engineering Electrifies the Water with Frauscher 850 Fantom Air

Porsche Engineering, in collaboration with Porsche AG and Austrian boat manufacturer Frauscher, has unveiled the 850 Fantom Air, an innovative electric boat. This high-performance eBoat leverages key components from the Porsche Macan, adapted for marine applications, delivering impressive speed and quiet operation.

Key Takeaways

• The 850 Fantom Air features an 800-volt electric powertrain derived from the Porsche Macan Turbo.

• It achieves speeds exceeding 85 km/h with minimal noise.

• The project focused on adapting automotive technology for marine environments, including cooling, vibration resistance, and media compatibility.

• The design incorporates a "Porsche look and feel" with familiar driving mode buttons and display graphics.

• The eBoat has received accolades, including "Powerboat of the Year 2024" and "Best Boat of 2024.

A Fusion Of Automotive And Marine Engineering

The development of the 850 Fantom Air was a swift process, taking less than a year from design to the first prototype. Porsche AG led the project, with Porsche Engineering handling the technical implementation. The core of the eBoat's powertrain utilizes standard components from the Porsche Macan's rear-axle drive, including the battery and drive module, which have been specifically modified for marine use.

Adapting For The Water

While automotive development focuses on dynamic load requirements, marine applications demand high continuous loads, necessitating robust cooling solutions. The 850 Fantom Air achieves this through optimized pump actuation. Engineers also addressed challenges related to limited space within the hull, vibration resistance, and media compatibility, particularly with saltwater. The electrical system was streamlined, incorporating a specially developed control module.

The Porsche Experience On Water

Beyond the technical adaptations, the project aimed to imbue the boat with a distinct "Porsche look and feel." This is evident in features like a throttle with familiar "Sport" and "Sport+" buttons, car-like display graphics, and a steering wheel designed in the Porsche style. The electric motor, a permanently excited synchronous motor (PSM), delivers up to 400 kW, offering high efficiency and power density. While the stator and rotor were adopted directly from the Macan, the motor housing was newly developed to meet marine standards, including rigorous testing for salt spray, corrosion, and leaks.

Innovative Powertrain Integration

Integrating the electric powertrain presented unique challenges. The connection between the motor and the Z-drive required a robust solution, eventually settling on a jaw coupling with an elastomer insert after initial slip clutches proved insufficient for the high torque. The 100 kWh lithium-ion battery is mounted using a load-bearing frame with steel cable damping to mitigate vibrations from wave impacts. This low, central positioning of the powertrain and batteries contributes to exceptional handling characteristics and a pleasant soundscape.

Modular Design And Future Potential

A key innovation is the modular concept for the powertrain and battery units, simplifying installation for boatyards. Porsche Engineering also developed a special gateway control module to bridge the gap between automotive and marine electronics, ensuring compatibility with marine-specific requirements like electromagnetic compatibility and compass deviation. This expertise in transferring automotive technology is seen as universally applicable to other sectors, including construction machinery. The success of the 850 Fantom Air has led to a small series production of 25 boats, with the powertrain also being adaptable to other boat sizes and classes.