At the 2011 Michelin Challenge Bibendum, an annual event promoting the development of sustainable mobility, Porshe released details about the specifications of its mini-fleet of all-electric Boxter-E prototypes that are currently undergoing on-road testing. Three prototypes, each sporting a unique powertrain configuration, are currently being evaluated as a part of the “Model Region Electro-Mobility Stuttgart”, a government-sponsored program in Germany to gather data on real-world usage patterns and practicality of electric cars.
All three models are outfitted with Lithium Iron Phosphate battery packs. The battery packs, comprise 440 20Ah cells for a total name-plate capacity of 29kWh. The packs are good for over 100 miles range in rear-wheel-drive prototypes. The all-wheel-drive prototype that uses two independent motors (one front and one rear) is rated at double the power (180 kW/241 HP) of the rear-wheel-drive cars, so range is affected by the weight of the driver’s right foot. The 750 lb battery packs are good for up to 240 kW power delivery, well above what the motors can draw in all configurations. In all-wheel drive configuration, 0-100 kph (62 mph) acceleration is accomplished in 5.5 seconds, compared to a more run-of-the-mill 9.8 seconds for the single-motor rear-drive versions. If the motors were increased to match the battery pack maximum power (240 kW/322 HP), power output would rival the standard 310 HP IC-engine powered Boxter (0-60 mph in 5.0 seconds, approx 3000 lbs) but the 3500 lb all-electric would have a weight disadvantage. It would make for a good race however, given the broader torque band of the electric motors.