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Sometimes automotive and marine merge, creating new hybrids full of potential. This is the case with the new electric boat from
Frauscher
, an 8.6-meter capable of going over 46 knots. It is developed in collaboration with the German automotive icon:
Porsche
.
It is the new Frauscher X Porsche 850 Fantom Air, a sporty and elegant hull strong in styling from the Stuttgart-based company and featuring the same propulsion technology as the new Porsche e-Macan. An initial limited run of 25 is already available, imported into Italy by Cantiere Nautico Feltrinelli, exclusive dealer of the Frauscher brand in Italy.
Design by Frauscher & Porsche then, but not only that. The entire propulsion unit, in fact, is itself designed by the German brand and specially adapted to the marine to best express itself on the specifications of the Frauscher hull. And, not to be left out, it also offers different driving styles, just as it does in the car world, offering specific calibrations designed to lend themselves to the different types of sailing the owner might encounter. All of this, of course, wrapped in the classic sporty and elegant look that distinguishes Frauscher’s yachts, thus marrying performance and style in a boat that will definitely have to be kept an eye on.
Streamlined lines, near-vertical bow, and sleek, ultra-clean design. This is the classic Frauscher design styleme, which here meets not only the propulsion of the German, but also the pen of the Porsche design center, engaged in designing the entire command post of the new 850 Fantom Air, including the pilot and co-pilot seats. A actually key component of this new model, not only in terms of ergonomics and driving comfort, but also in terms of look and layout, being in this case a center console hull.
In fact, if aft we find a space populated by a swim platform and double sundeck, characterized by a central walkway leading to the center of the boat, the cockpit is instead crowned by the center console, served by two racing-style seats and backed by a double settee with a central passageway. Here, dominating the space is the dashboard design, glossy black and protected by a small frameless smoked windshield, at times inspired by the look of the German manufacturer’s iconic cars. Elements of the 911 do indeed recur in the styling choices, with the design taken up especially in the winglets protecting the dashboard handrails.
The various instrumentation dials are themselves reminiscent of sports cars of the past, analog by choice, providing an essential data overview reminiscent of a strong automotive look. Even the helm joins the chorus, a Porsche steering wheel made from materials more suited to nautical environments. There is no shortage of high-tech solutions, however, including wi-fi, stereo systems, 12-inch displays, and integrated chartplotters.
A bow lounge and center console aside, the new Frauscher concludes with a bow space with opposing, inward-facing, broadside-backed sofas. Concluding the exteriors are two folding bimini, ideal for shelter from the sun on summer days.
Strong point and curiosity of the new 850 Fantom Air, no doubt, the propulsion technology developed in collaboration with Porsche. Especially to develop this hull, in fact, an adaptation of the German brand’s driving technologies was carried out, using the same components as the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) on which the new electric Macan is also based. Indeed, on board is the new permanently excited synchronous electric motor, strong enough peak power to be electronically limited on the 850 Fantom Air, for a total of 400 kW, or enough to propel the boat to top speeds of more than 46 knots.
In terms of weight distribution, the electric motor was placed at the extreme stern of the hull, just below the control unit, and connected by shaft to the transmission. The battery, on the other hand, which is lithium-ion and has a gross capacity of 100 kWh, is also identical to that found on the E-Macan, positioned here below the cockpit-thus lowering the center of gravity and improving stability-protected by a frame with steel suspension designed to absorb as much as possible the stresses derived from high speeds and wave impacts.
Finally, there is no shortage of different settings for driving modes, which, echoing the assistances of road equivalents, offer pre-programmed presets designed for different types and different navigational contexts. Specifically, these are four distinct modes: Docking, Range, Sport and Sport Plus. Each of these goes to act on the throttle response and has different speed limits, adjusting the power delivered according to the type of context (example, in port, the docking mode delivers up to 8kn, better calibrating the power for the strait sailing and mooring phases).
Coming to performance, the 4 driving modes make the main difference, comprising precisely different power outputs. In Docking mode, the maximum speed is in fact designed for sailing in port, with limiter at 8 knots. At cruising speed, on the other hand, with a charged battery you will have a range of more than an hour at speeds of 22 knots, 24.2 nautical miles, to be precise, but at lower speeds, although still already gliding, you will also be able to go more than 50 miles (53.9).
It is in sport plus mode, however, that peak speeds are recorded, albeit electronically limited to 46 knots. The overall range, however, actually varies depending on activities and navigation style, estimating about two to three hours depending on speed regimes and navigation profile.
Coming to the recharging front, thanks to Porsche’s 800-volt technology, the 850 Fantom Air can be recharged with more than 250 kW of direct current at fast-charging stations, and under ideal conditions, the 10%-charged battery can be brought up to 80% charge in less than 30 minutes. AC charging is also possible at traditional domestic and industrial outlets (380V), which are among the most common in today’s port and marina configurations. Also on board is a standard 11 kW AC charger.
| Length Over All (LOA) | 8.67 m |
| Baglio Massimo (B.max) | 2.49 m |
| Displacement | 2800 kg |
| Motorization | 170-400 kW |
| Batteries | 100 kWh |
| Maximum Speed | 46* kn |
| Cruising Speed | 22 kn |
| People Scope | 9 |
| Contact | frauscher.com |
*Electronically limited speed to 85 km/h / 46 kn
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