(continued from above)
Porsche was demonstrating its Boxster E prototypes to a wide audience of
representatives from politics, industry, trade and research at this global forum
for sustainable mobility in the German capital Belin last week. Around a
sporting circuit, the Porsche showcased the Boxster E sports car concept;
exhibiting the combination of innovation, performance and chassis responsiveness
that is characteristic of the marque, and follows similar ground-breaking
initiatives; the 911 GT3 R Hybrid race car, 918 Spyder super sports car and 918
RSR concept.
The Boxster E prototypes are being used as part of the
"Model Region Electro-Mobility Stuttgart" large-scale trial to explore the
everyday practicality of all-electric vehicles and how they are used, especially
in terms of driving and battery charging. What the researchers at Porsche are
looking for is an understanding of the requirements that will shape tomorrow's
products, the future direction of Porsche Intelligent Performance and how to
integrate electric vehicles into the infrastructure.
Behind the Wheel
It goes without saying that all of the important safety and comfort features
of the production model are replicated in the Boxster E. The new brake system
enables an optimal melding of the braking forces of the electrical generators
and the mechanical brake system, delivered via lightweight Porsche Ceramic
Composite Brakes (PCCB). The electrically-powered air conditioning compressor
accommodated in the front luggage compartment ensures comfortable temperatures
inside the vehicle.
Not only are the clutch pedal and gearshift lever
absent in the Boxster E, there is no rev counter either. In its place is a
special 'E-Power meter' in the central instrument cluster display. A swing to
the right indicates power call-off, and to the left, power recovery.
Recuperation - namely the recovery of energy by using the electric motors as
generators - can be modified by means of the push buttons in the steering wheel;
the effect is akin to an on-demand engine brake. Otherwise, when the driver
lifts his foot off the accelerator, the Boxster E simply sails on, using the
moving vehicle's kinetic energy. Among its other functions, the instrument
cluster's right-hand TFT display acts as an intelligent range management system,
displaying useful driving information: the range remaining or how many miles can
be gained by switching off the air conditioning system.
Mid-Engine
Design Provides Perfect Foundation
Thanks to its design as a
mid-engine sports car, the Porsche Boxster is the ideal vehicle platform for
conducting realistic trials with electric-drive systems. The open-top two-seater
car is very light, enabling the new components that are the electric motor,
battery and high-voltage technology to be accommodated within the vehicle in a
crash-proof way. Together with the low drag, this reduces driving resistance for
optimal range. Also of importance for a Porsche sports car, even one that is
electrically-driven, is the high driving dynamics potential, not least as a
consequence of the balanced axle-load distribution intrinsic to the mid-engine
design.
Porsche Boxster E Concept: Review (2/2)
