Rumors about an all-electric sportscar by Porsche which rivals Tesla Roadster, turn out to be true as the company announces a new research and development program for what currently called “an electric sports car in the future based on the Boxster roadster”. Three research cars will be made for the first phase of testings, which will begin in early 2011, so one can imagine that the produciton version is not due until at least 2012.

Press Release:

Electric drive will take on an increasingly important role in the further enhancement of Porsche Intelligent Performance. To combine greater efficiency with even lower fuel consumption and emissions, Porsche is working consistently not only on the ongoing development of hybrid concepts already in production, but also using three research cars with all-electric drive based on the Porsche Boxster.

The test process will start in early 2011 and is being run as part of the Modellregion Elektromobilität programme in Stuttgart. These three electric Boxsters will provide an important preliminary insight to new electric drive components and battery systems for all-electric vehicle drive. This field test is intended to also provide further findings on the infrastructure required for electro-mobility, user behaviour and the demands made of future products.

Michael Macht, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Porsche AG, sees this contribution made by Porsche as absolutely essential. “We will definitely be offering an electric sports car in future. But such a concept only makes sense if it offers performance and a cruising range comparable to that of a sports car today.”

Porsche has been committed to electric mobility for a long time, thus helping to preserve the environment and save resources in our world. The spectacular concept study of the 918 Spyder high-performance mid-engined sports car with plug-in hybrid combines high-tech breakthroughs in engine technology and electro-mobility with a truly fascinating range of further qualities. Emissions otherwise to be found only on a super-mini of just 70 g/km CO₂ with three litres fuel consumption for 100 kilometres in the NEDC (equal to 94.1 mpg), are combined with the performance of a super sportscar developing well over 600 horsepower.

The hybrid system of the 911 GT3 R Hybrid has been developed especially for racing, with two 60 kW (82 hp) electric motors on the front axle boosting the 480 hp six-cylinder combustion engine fitted at the rear. In place of conventional batteries, there is an electrical flywheel power storage system re-charged whenever the driver applies the brakes and thus delivering energy to the electric motors. The 911 GT3 R Hybrid has already proven its racing qualities in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring.

As part of its ongoing role as a technology spearhead and ‘racing laboratory’, the 911 GT3 R Hybrid will race in the season finale of the American Le Mans Series – the ‘Petit Le Mans’ – at Road Atlanta on October 2. This event runs over a distance of 1,000 miles or a maximum of ten hours, and will provide further valuable feedback to the engineering team from Porsche Motorsport in Weissach who run the car.

After its American race debut, it is planned that the 911 GT3 R Hybrid will travel to China to race in the six hour Le Mans International Cup at Zuhai. In both the US and China, the 911 GT3 R Hybrid will not be eligible for points, as hybrid technology is not yet included in the GT regulations for international motor sport.

Porsche Intelligent Performance encompasses a variety of innovative powertrain solutions. Porsche introduced its first production car able to run for short distances under electric power alone in June this year. With maximum output of 380 hp, the Cayenne S Hybrid offers fuel consumption on the NEDC cycle of 34.5 mpg (8.2 ltr/100 km ), and CO₂ emissions reduced to 193 g/km.

This hybrid technology will also be featured in the future Panamera S Hybrid due to enter the market next