Porsche, in collaboration with the Frauscher shipyard, developed the Frauscher ×Porsche 850 Fantom Air, an innovative electric sports boat that has the potential to revolutionize an entire industry.
Jörg Kerner, Head of the Macan series at Porsche, tested the boat’s throttle and powerful electric motor torque. The Frauscher × Porsche 850 Fantom Air glides almost horizontally over the waters of Italy’s Lake Garda.
“We achieved this unique ride quality by placing the thruster and batteries in the lower part of the hull,” Kerner explained.
“What surprised me most was the natural, high-quality background sound,” says Kerner, demonstrating turning maneuvers that conventional boats could never perform.
Power without Noise
Kerner emphasizes that the boat features torque reduction in turns to maintain comfortable control. “The high-precision thrust and stable position are also perfect for water skiing and wakeboarding.”
“This sport was not possible with the small electric boats previously available. But now it is, and with no exhaust pipe smell,” the executive noted.
The boat measures just over two and a half meters wide and about eight and a half meters from bow to stern. “Length is a good thing,” Kerner says. “This applies not only to boats, but also to vehicles equipped with a longer wheelbase for more stability and space.”
The eFantom seats nine people. A first edition limited to 25 units is being prepared and can be reserved through Frauscher, and will be available in 2024.
Visionaries
The idea was born in the spring of 2021 at a meeting with Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche. The German brand aims to be a pioneer in sustainable mobility for racing vehicles, road cars, and far beyond.
The Porsche Board of Management initiated a new project and appointed Philip Ruckert as project manager for the “eBoot” (“electric boat”) project.
Together with Porsche Engineering, the technical foundation stone was laid. Just one year later, the decision was made to integrate the project into the Macan series and prepare it for series production. From the outset, Ruckert contacted the renowned Frauscher shipyard in Ohlsdorf (Austria).
