Autoblog

Frankfurt 2009: Porsche confirms development of electric sportscar

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:31:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, Porsche, Electric

Ruf Greenster concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Quick trivia question: what automaker was the first to build a hybrid? Did you guess Honda or Toyota? Interestingly, a full 109 years ago, Professor Ferdinand Porsche built a fully functional hybrid automobile, though it was certainly a much different animal compared to the Prius and Insight hatchbacks of 2010. In any case, Porsche is looking to enter the hybrid and electric automobile market in a big way just as soon as battery technology will allow it.

Porsche's opening salvo in the eco-wars will be the full hybrid Cayenne and Panamera models, probably in late 2010 as 2011 models, but there's more to come. Speaking at a press conference at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Michael Macht, Porsche's recently-appointed president and CEO, says:

I am also convinced that one day Porsche will have an electric sports car in its line-up... We are therefore taking the first step in this direction with a full hybrid - in the Cayenne, the Panamera and maybe in the not too distant future also in a racing car or a production 911. Why not?

Recent spy photos indicate that Porsche may already be well into the development phase of its electric 911 program, so this news doesn't exactly come as a shock. Still, while Porsche is just talking about eco-friendly sportscars in press releases at Frankfurt, rivals Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz are busy showing off their own factory concepts. Click past the break for the official press release.

Gallery: Geneva 2009: Ruf Greenster

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Frankfurt 2009: Porsche confirms development of electric sportscar originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Is this Porsche 911 mule hiding a shocking secret?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 09:55:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, Porsche

No automaker is immune to global environmental pressures to reduce pollutants and limit carbon dioxide emissions. Even Porsche has gotten into the green game with both diese l and hybrid options for its Cayenne along with an expected hybrid powertrain for its Panamara range. Could that fuel-saving technology make a move closer to Porsche's sportscar roots? If so, would the battery pack go under the front hood in the rear-engined car?

According to a series of spy photos from our friends at NextAutos, the answer to those questions may be yes and yes. Although there aren't any logos on the car - save for some awesomely well-placed Batman stickers (Are we looking at the next Tumbler?), the bodystyle undoubtedly screams 911 while the details have us scratching our heads. What's with the oddly shaped bulge (complete with what appears to be a lightning bolt graphic) on the hood, or the fact that the photogs claim the car made virtually no noise as it sped away at high velocities?

For what it's worth, in addition to the hybrid Cayenne and Panamera programs, we also know that the German automaker is keenly interested in electric vehicles, including its iconic 911. In other words, these are spy shots that have our interest piqued even more than usual.

[Source: NextAutos]

Spy Shots: Is this Porsche 911 mule hiding a shocking secret? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Jul 2009 09:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Porsche R&D says electric 911 possible, needs more development

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:18:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Green, Porsche

eRuf Greenster - Click above for high-res image gallery

In an interview with German magazine Motor Zeitung, Porsche's R&D director Wolfgang Dürheimer discussed the possibility of electrifying the iconic 911 sports car. Legendary Porsche tuners Ruf first showed a battery-powered prototype 911 called the eRuf last fall and then revealed a second-generation version (pictured) at the Geneva Motor Show in March. The eRuf Greenster was a major improvement over the original and Dürheimer praised the achievement of the smaller company.

Dürheimer doesn't rule out an electrified sports car in the future, but feels the technology is not quite ready for Porsche prime-time. The problem revolves around the size and weight of the batteries, and even discarding the conventional powertrain leaves the Greenster with a deficit of at least 500 pounds compared to a normal 911... and no luggage space to boot. As battery technology progresses, however, we can certainly expect a battery-powered sports car to emerge from Zuffenhausen in due course.

Gallery: Geneva 2009: Ruf Greenster

[Source: Motor Zeitung]
Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.

REPORT: Porsche R&D says electric 911 possible, needs more development originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Porsche on the waiting list for Tesla Roadster

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 09:28:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Performance, Green, Porsche

Click above for high-res image gallery of Jason's Tesla Roadster

Electric vehicles... they're so hot right now. And none are hotter at the moment than the Tesla Roadster, which looks positively sublime in Very Orange paint. Even Porsche, the longtime purveyor of some of the world's best sporting hardware, is interested in the little electron powered machine. In fact, rumor has it that the German automaker is much more impressed with Silicon Valley's first ever sports car than it is with the lithium ion-powered E-Ruf electric 911. Is it too slow; too heavy; too expensive? Nobody knows for sure outside of Stuttgart's engineering offices, but we do know that the German automaker has placed an order for a Tesla Roadster of their very own for closer scrutiny. We'd imagine that the EV's dissection could offer some enlightening revelations to Porsche, rumored to be hard at work on an electric sportscar of its very own. Considering Porsche's recent history with other automaker's wares, this could get very interesting.

Gallery: Jason Calacanis' Tesla Roadster

[Source: Inside Line]

Porsche on the waiting list for Tesla Roadster originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Nov 2008 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Road and Track tests battery-powered E-Ruf 911

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 16:05:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Green, Porsche

Click above for high-res gallery of the E-Ruf

We only heard about the latest modified Porsche from Ruf about a week and a half ago when the tuner unveiled its new E-Ruf via press release. Apparently we weren't the first to learn of the all-electric 911, as Road & Track has already driven it and just published its first impressions, including details about the car's inner workings that were previously unknown.

Unlike most Ruf Porsches, the E-Ruf hasn't had its internal combustion engine boosted to within an inch of its life. It doesn't even have an ICE. Instead, the staff in Germany have ripped out the boxer 6-cylinder, back seat and fuel tank. The back seat area and front trunk have been stuffed full of lithium-ion batteries and an electric motor's been bolted to the stock 6-speed gearbox. Turns out that the E-Ruf is very different from other high-profile EVs like the Tesla Roadster in some interesting ways, but you'll have to click through to Road and Track to find out exactly why and what it means for the future of EVs.

Gallery: E-Ruf electric 911

[Source: Road & Track]

Road and Track tests battery-powered E-Ruf 911 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Oct 2008 16:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RUF's electric Porsche breaks cover

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrid, Performance, Green, Porsche

Click above for more high-res shots of the eRUF Model A Concept

Rumors of RUF's impending electric Porsche were true, except that the actual vehicle is based on a Porsche 911, not the Cayman as previously reported. Powered by a three-phase electric motor that offers about 200 horsepower along with an impressive 480 lb.-ft. of torque, the eRUF Model A can reportedly hit 60 miles per hour in under seven seconds and can reach a top speed of 160. Power comes from a lithium iron phosphate battery pack, which produces 317-volts and 480-amps and is made up from 96 individual cells. A full charge takes a rather long 10-hours, and regenerative braking is included in the package allowing for a range of up to 180 miles. From the outside, you'd never really know that something was different about this 997, except that it doesn't produce that soul-stirring flat-six sound. This is still just a concept and its specifications are subject to change. We can be sure, though, that this isn't the last electrically-powered sportscar set to hit the market.

Gallery: E-Ruf electric 911

[Source: RUF]

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RUF's electric Porsche breaks cover originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Oct 2008 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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