When it comes to electrification, cars may take center stage, but boats are also beginning to forgo internal combustion engines. An example of this is the electric yacht that Frauscher, a century-old luxury boat manufacturer, and Porsche have collaborated to create, utilizing the Macan EV’s motor and battery to enable emissions-free transportation.
On Saturday, Frauscher revealed the 850 Fantom Air on social media. This weekend was the first time the Austria-based yacht firm released images and videos of the 850 Fantom Air, or “eFantom,” which has Porsche touches throughout. A few months ago, the company had teased early designs of its first-ever electric option.
The eFantom’s drivetrain is taken from Porsche’s electric Macan small crossover, which is scheduled to go on sale in 2024. Better dynamic performance is possible with this design, which uses silicon carbide in the pulse inverter to permit higher switching frequencies than an electric motor using a silicon semiconductor.
Regrettably, lower efficiency is the result of increased switching frequencies. About an hour is all that the 850 Fantom Air’s 100 kWh lithium-ion battery can hold at its best cruising speed of 22 knots, or 25 miles per hour. To achieve a maximum three-hour range, Porsche advises alternating between moderate and fast driving (up to 46 knots, or 53 miles per hour, in “Sport Plus” mode). Even so, it’s a little brief: The eFantom is based on Frauscher’s 858 Fantom Air, a gas-powered yacht that can cruise at 25 knots for up to 14 hours on a single tank.
Fortunately, if the conditions are correct, charging the 850 Fantom Air doesn’t take long. With a direct current (DC) fast charger, Porsche claims the battery can be charged from 10% to 80% capacity in less than 30 minutes. Porsche acknowledges that only a small number of ports are capable of fast charging; in such cases, eFantom users are forced to use 11-kW alternating current (AC) charging.
The eFantom makes up for its limited range with elegance. The 8.67-meter-long day cruiser has a wood swimming platform and leather upholstery that can fit up to nine people. Onboard entertainment options include a quality music system and refrigerator, and there are two retractable bimini tops that provide optional shade. Naturally, none of this is inexpensive: Frauscher’s first 25 units will set you back €561,700, or $596,337, each, and they won’t be available until sometime in 2024.