A few years ago, talk of eco-friendly Porsches replete with hybrid or electric powertrains would have been heartily scoffed at, but now the Zuffenhausen-based firm is placing a great deal of emphasis on such technology.
The company has quietly introduced a fleet of electrically-powered Boxsters as “mobile laboratories” in a bid to explore improvements in EV infrastructure in Germany. Dubbed the Boxster E, this model is powered by a 29 kWh battery linked to a pair of electric motors developing a combined output of 180 kW. Although Porsche has been sparing with regards to technical information, the company claims that the Boxster E will offer similar performance to the Boxster S – 0-100 km/h in a shade over five seconds and a top speed of 275 km/h.
Porsche doesn’t have any plans to bring the Boxster E into production, but the company has stated its intention to introduce an all-new parallel hybrid model at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show.
The new model, which will be unveiled at a press event on March 1, forms part of the company’s “Porsche Intelligent Performance” philosophy; an approach to more environmentally-friendly motoring without sacrificing the strong performance ethos for which the German firm’s products are known.
Having already showcased a hybrid version of its Cayenne SUV, it seems likely that Porsche will dole out the hybrid treatment to its Panamera grand saloon. It’s common knowledge that Porsche sees the Panamera as a volume-seller – especially since the introduction of six-cylinder models – and needs to make more expansive use of the car’s model-specific platform. A long-wheelbase model, extended by 120 mm, has been touted for the Chinese market while a diesel is also on the cards along with a facelift across the model range.
The hybrid, in whatever guise it takes, will be accompanied on the Porsche stand by the 918 RSR racing car concept, as well as the lightweight Cayman R and Black Edition versions of the 911 and Boxster S.
