Cadillac ELR【Video】

Cadillac just announced the ELR Coupe. It’s the company’s second extended-range electric car and the third extended-range car unveiled in the past 30 days.



The new Cadillac ELR will apparently adopt a similar Voltec powertrain to the one in the Chevrolet Volt. It will consist of a small four-cylinder engine which will be used to recharge a T-shaped lithium-ion battery pack.



The car will have a 2+2 seating configuration. More details, including powertrain and timing of the launch, will be revealed later.















Press Release



Electric Concept Car Comes to Life as Cadillac ELR



Luxury touring coupe gets extended-range electric vehicle technology



DETROIT - The innovative Cadillac Converj Concept, a dramatic luxury coupe with extended-range electric vehicle technology, is moving forward as a production car that will be called the Cadillac ELR.



Development of the ELR is just underway, so details on performance, price and timing will be announced later.



The Cadillac ELR will feature an electric propulsion system made up of a T-shaped lithium ion battery, an electric drive unit, and a four-cylinder engine-generator. It uses electricity as its primary source to drive the car without using gasoline or producing tailpipe emissions. When the battery's energy is low, the ELR seamlessly switches to extended-range mode to enable driving for hundreds of additional miles.



"The concept generated instant enthusiasm," said Don Butler, vice president-Cadillac Marketing. "Like other milestone Cadillac models of the past, the ELR will offer something not otherwise present - the combination of electric propulsion with striking design and the fun of luxury coupe driving."



Cadillac selected the name ELR to indicate the car's electric propulsion technology, in keeping with the brand's 3-letter international model naming convention.



The Converj Concept sparked the idea of combining the desirability of a grand touring coupe with electrification, said Ed Welburn, GM vice president, Global Design.



"There's no mistaking it for anything but a Cadillac, an aggressive, forward-leaning profile and proportion showcases a uniquely shaped, modern vision of a personal luxury 2+2," Welburn said.



Cadillac will reveal another new concept car on Thursday, Aug. 18, at a special event prior to the annual Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Cadillac also recently announced it will add two new vehicles to its product lineup in 2012, the XTS large luxury sedan and an all-new luxury compact sedan codenamed ATS.

Frankfurt Preview：Audi Urban Concept

Audi has unveiled a Urban concept car to the Frankfurt Motor Show next month. which is a 1+1-seat ultra-light passenger car that is intended to be an effective alternative to larger vehicles for travel in congested urban environments.



The Audi urban concept is a 1+1 seat ultra light car ideal for areas with high congestion. The Audi urban concept aims for a combination of racing car, roadster, fun car and an urban car.



In terms of styling features, the urban concept has some innovative items like free-standing wheels, blinking strips of LED lights, and of course, those side blades inspired by Audi R8. The car also has 21-inch wheels. Entry to the car is via the tailgate.



The interior provides staggered seating for two people at a low sporty height. All of the controls and materials are ultra-lightweight. Entry is through the tailgate, and the roof can be manoeuvred and slides to the rear to open. The cockpit consists of carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP), which integrates the undercarriage of both seats.



Power for the Audi urban concept comes from two e-tron electric motors, which get their fuel from a lithium-ion battery. No technical details were released.











Press Release



‘Vorsprung durch Technik' goes electric with the Audi urban concept



Audi urban concept car breaks new ground for the brand with four rings

• An innovative urban concept car with 1+1 seats
• Sleek cockpit made from CFRP, free-standing wheels with protective plates
• Elaborate suspension design, compact electric drive system for sporty performance

Ingolstadt, August 10, 2011 - Audi is once again exploring new horizons with the Audi urban concept, a 1+1-seat, ultra-light car for congested urban spaces. The technical study confounds conventional car categories - the Audi urban concept combines elements of a racing car, a roadster, a fun car and an urban car into one radical new concept.



The Audi urban concept car is not descended from any previous model - its development is based on the strict principles of lightweight construction, efficiency and reduction. The result is a concept car with no unnecessary weight, and one that concentrates on the pure essence of dynamic motion.



The stunning new concept has a sleek body. The wheels are free-standing, and the surrounding protective plates feature ‘blinking' strips of LED lights. The highly-concentrated look of the technical study, with its forward-urging lines, is dynamic and emotional, and lends a completely new impetus to the Audi design language.



There is room for two people on board, their position slightly staggered and at a sporty, low level. All controls and materials are subject to the dictates of ultra-lightweight construction to ensure they convey a unique, sensory allure. The driver can adjust the steering wheel and pedals for his or her own driving position. Entry to the car is through the tailgate, while the roof is designed to be manoeuvrable and slides to the rear to open. The Audi urban concept rides on 21-inch wheels.



The technology in the Audi urban concept reflects the full capabilities of the brand, especially when it comes to ultra-lightweight construction. The cockpit consists of carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP), which integrates the undercarriage of both seats.



Two e-tron electric motors provide the propulsion - providing the ultra-light Audi urban concept with the ability to accelerate powerfully. A lithium-ion battery supplies the energy - ideal for extended city tours.

2012 Nissan Leaf Prices

The 2012 Nissan Leaf will now pack more standard features — and a noticeably higher price. Starting July 25 the second model year Leaf will be available for order in the Southeastern United States and Illinois.

The uplevel 2012 Nissan Leaf SL starts at $38,100, reflecting a $3,530 price increase over the 2011 model, said Nissan in Tuesday's pricing announcement. Nissan has deleted the Leaf SL-e model for 2012. That version was priced at $34,570 for the 2011 model year and was part of a federal electric-vehicle project through a special U.S. Department of Energy grant. The 2012 Leaf goes on sale this fall.





Press Release

NISSAN TO LAUNCH ALL-ELECTRIC LEAF AS UPGRADED 2012 MODEL IN NEW U.S. MARKETS


Nissan North America Inc. is expanding availability of the all-electric Nissan LEAF to U.S. consumers for the 2012 model year, with upgrades based on feedback from the thousands of owners who already have driven several millions of miles in the first 100-percent electric car for the mass market.

The Nissan LEAF, enriched with additional standard equipment including quick charging and cold-weather features for the 2012 model year, now will be available for order in the Southeastern United States and Illinois.

"Many enthusiastic consumers have eagerly anticipated ordering a Nissan LEAF of their own, and now we can make zero-emissions mobility a reality in more markets," said Brian Carolin, senior vice president, Sales and Marketing, Nissan North America. "In response to direct feedback from Nissan LEAF owners, the features that customers want most will come standard on the 2012 Nissan LEAF - including quick charging and cold-weather features."

Nissan on July 25 will open up the ordering process to consumers with existing reservations in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Washington, D.C.

After the prioritized ordering phase for existing reservations in those markets, Nissan on Aug. 4 will open new reservations and orders to the general public, both in these new markets, as well as places where the Nissan LEAF already has been on sale (Arizona, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington). Expected delivery of the first 2012 Nissan LEAFs will begin in the fall.

The MY12 vehicle features product enhancements that incorporate feedback from early LEAF drivers, including standardizing the most popular options. These features include:

• DC Fast Charge capability standard on Nissan LEAF SL: The vast majority of MY11 consumers have opted for the DC fast charge port, which allows the vehicle to be charged at 480V - reducing charging time to under 30 minutes for charging the vehicle to 80 percent from a fully depleted state. As DC fast charge stations proliferate across the country, Nissan expects this feature to become even more popular. For 2012, fast-charging capability will be standard on the SL trim level.

• Cold weather features standard on Nissan LEAF: As the Nissan LEAF rolls out to U.S. markets with colder climates, cold weather features become standard equipment on all trim levels of the Nissan LEAF. These include a battery warmer, heated steering wheel, and heated seats in both the front and rear.

The manufacturer's suggested retail price of the 2012 Nissan LEAF is $35,200 for the SV trim level, and $37,250 for the SL trim level. The monthly lease price will begin at a highly competitive $369.

Nissan will expand into additional new markets as the year continues. In the fall, orders from existing reservations and new reservations will begin in Connecticut, Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York. By the end of the year, Delaware, Indiana, Louisiana, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island will be added as markets where the Nissan LEAF will be available for order.

More than 4,000 Nissan LEAFs have been delivered to U.S. customers, and Nissan, as it begins the next phase of the launch, continues to learn from them. While 82 percent have never previously owned a Nissan, a full 75 percent considered no other vehicle than the Nissan LEAF in their purchase decision. On a whole, these early adopters report that they are using the Nissan LEAF as their primary car, and driving it far more than was originally anticipated. These consumers, most of whom are highly educated and have high income levels, are technologically savvy, environmentally conscious, and consider themselves advocates for electric-car technology.

Renault Frendzy concept【Video】

Renault has unveiled the Frendzy concept,which is meant to be a commercial business vehicle which can double as a comfortable passenger car. It brings the “Office on Wheels” by adding the BlackBerry PlayBook into the dash.

The Frendzy concept is a just under 14 feet in length and features a whole host of technology worthy of any concept car, including the ability to fully integrate with BlackBerry’s latest tablet, the PlayBook.

Power for the Frendzy concept is provided by an electric motor producing 40kW of power and 226Nm of torque. Top speed for the concept is listed at 130km/h.

Inside, the driver’s cockpit looks like a futuristic work bench made of molten metal and the same design is adopted for the rear right door panel.






Press Release

RENAULT unveils ‘FRENDZY' concept ahead of Frankfurt motor show 2011 WORLD DEBUT

Ahead of the 64th Frankfurt Motor Show later this year, Renault has revealed details of its latest concept vehicle, FRENDZY.

• After the notion of ‘love at first sight' expressed by DeZir, discovering the world with Captur and starting a family with R-Space, FRENDZY presents the world of work. It is the fourth step in Renault's design strategy, based on the different stages of the human life cycle.
• The latest concept to be produced under the leadership of Laurens van den Acker is the perfect multi-talented vehicle. As a commercial business vehicle which can double up perfectly as a comfortable car, it meets the requirements of business users on the one hand and those of families on the other.
• Fully electric, asymmetrically body compact vehicle, with series of clever innovations: BlackBerry® PlayBookTM controls 37-inch digital screen on sliding rear door, unique ‘sound signatures' inside and out, fabric roof adapts to shape of bulky objects, magnetic fixings allow loads to be secured to floor, slate board in rear cabin for children to sketch on, touch-sensitive pad slides out from driver's seat for rear passenger movie watching or gaming, two colour ambient lighting settings to differentiate family and work time

Laurens van den Acker, Senior Vice President, Design Renault: "FRENDZY is the fourth vehicle to illustrate Renault's new design strategy, a series which started with DeZir. It takes an original and innovative stance on the world of light commercial vehicles - a key part of Renault's activities".

FRENDZY, a multi-faceted friend
Renault's latest concept car has a dual personality. These days, professional and personal lives are so interwoven that drivers constantly find themselves swapping from one world to the other. The role of FRENDZY is to be a partner that takes the strain out of this busy lifestyle.

Axel Breun, Design Director, Concept and Show Cars: "FRENDZY is the must-have vehicle for flexibility and versatility. It is efficient and modern as a work tool, yet sporting and warmly welcoming for the family".

On the outside...

On the passenger's side, there's no glazing or centre pillar, just one conventional door and one sliding side door which incorporates a 37-inch widescreen display. This is the world of work. The driver's side, complete with side windows, still no centre pillar, but with centre opening doors, represents the world of the family. Ease of loading and ease of entry go without saying in both worlds.

Exterior designer, Deyan Denkov: "The concept of an asymmetric body design was the most logical way to express this vehicle's two roles. From the very start, I wanted to move away from the traditional format for commercial vehicles and, in doing so, show that this type of vehicle could also be more emotional, more dynamic and more attractive. I took inspiration from a wide variety of sources, including unconventionally shaped aircraft such as the Airbus Beluga and the Antonov 224."

On weekdays, FRENDZY is a vehicle that adapts to the requirements of the business user, with a large external screen that can display useful messages or information (such as "making deliveries" or "back in five minutes", the battery-charging method or the remaining charge) or advertising messages, either whilst parked or on the move. Come the weekend, the vehicle transforms itself into a family vehicle, with a comfortable passenger seat and, in the rear, a big bench seat. Depending on their mood of the moment, children can watch a film or play games on the touch-sensitive pad which slides out from the back of the driver's seat. They can even draw on a special blackboard-style slate integrated into the sliding door.

The driver, likewise, can adapt the vehicle to his or her needs. In ‘work' mode, the rear-view mirrors sit upright and the interior lighting is green; in ‘family' mode, the mirrors swivel round to the horizontal position and the interior is bathed in a radiant orange ambience. Coloured repeater lights in the headlights and tail lights provide an external indication of the mode in which FRENDZY is operating.

With FRENDZY, Renault, Europe's light commercial vehicles market leader for the past 13 years, is once again able to showcase the practicality, modularity and versatility already proven by the Kangoo, Trafic and Master on our roads today.

On the inside...

The driver's side cockpit is designed around the theme of a futuristic ‘work bench' featuring a structure which appears to be made from molten metal. Green light emanating from the dashboard brings this smooth and organic architecture to life. These lights signify the ‘work' mode and tie in with the colour displayed on the exterior of the vehicle. In the ‘family' mode, the atmosphere becomes warmer as the green lights turn orange - a subtle reference to the colour of the previous concept car, the family-oriented R-Space.

Dominant throughout is the sense that the interior forms a cosy cabin which echoes the simple, yet practical, world of camping, and this is further reflected by extensive use of wood. Indeed, as much a symbol of warmth as it is of strength and timelessness, wood forms a link between the two modes. The leather latticework seats and removable accessories also refer to the camping metaphor.

Antoine Génin, Design Director, Interior and Colour/Materials: "Our research into materials centred on the area where the technology of industry meets the cosy softness of the family nest. This modern combination of wood and metal picks up on Renault's strategic design values of simplicity, sensuousness and warmth."

On a practical level, the fabric roof adapts itself to the shape of bulky objects, magnetic fixings allow the load to be secured to the floor, and modular stowage systems are a practical bonus for business users. The single-piece rear seat is integrated into the floor, while the front seat folds forward in order to free up space. Thanks to its practical, modular interior, FRENDZY lends itself perfectly to the requirements of business users and tradespeople.

Interior designer Ana Zadnik explains: "The interior of the vehicle reflects its double identity: on the one hand, it provides a roomy, uncluttered cargo carrying space and, on the other hand, a space that's fun and interactive and which seats up to four people. The organic volumes of the dashboard and rear door panels are extruded by strikingly shaped "nozzles", which become "receptors" for accessories, which can be plugged directly into the dashboard and door panels."

An innovative office on wheels
The user-friendly layout of the driver's environment and tablet turn FRENDZY into a truly interactive and communicative tool. The BlackBerry® PlayBookTM tablet recently launched by Research In Motion (RIM), plugged into the dashboard, has enabled the concept of an office on wheels to become reality. BlackBerry PlayBook is ultra-portable (seven-inch touchscreen, 425g in weight, measuring 130mm x 194mm x 10mm), yet it delivers advanced performance, uncompromised web browsing with support for Adobe® Flash®, HD multimedia, advanced security features and out-of-the-box enterprise support.

BlackBerry PlayBook can allow users to benefit from an effective workplace and unrestricted mobility while on the go. This makes it particularly well suited to neighbourhood deliveries and local craftsmen, for whom it is a genuine work tool, both inside and outside of the vehicle.

The tablet connects directly into the centre console, ensuring perfect convenience of operation once on the move. As soon as it is plugged in, it becomes an integral element of the vehicle and configures itself into the Renault environment. Continuity of work is assured once the device is removed, and it can of course be used for all of the renowned BlackBerry PlayBook tablet features.

The device has an important role to play, too, in the customisation of the vehicle as it controls the exterior screen while the vehicle is in motion and when parked, for business as well as for personal uses - pictograms illustrating life with electric vehicles, or the viewing of a film, for example.

Sensors located on each door sill log the loading or unloading of packages equipped with RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) chips containing key information such as destination address, weight and dimensions. This gives users a real-time inventory of the goods being carried in their vehicle. In addition, tradesmen can automatically calculate or re-calculate their itineraries on the basis of this information.

FRENDZY - a commercial vehicle that's also electric
Like DeZir, which was unveiled at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, FRENDZY is an electric vehicle. Its powertrain is the same as that of Kangoo Van Z.E., although the charging point - located under the Renault logo at the front of the vehicle - is identical to that shown on ZOE Preview.

The chief new feature of FRENDZY as an electric vehicle is the extensive work that has gone into the sounds it produces. This work was carried out in conjunction with IRCAM (Institut de Recherche et Coordination Acoustique / Musique). Electric vehicles are silent, so one of the big challenges facing Renault is customising the sound they produce for safety reasons, notably at slow speeds.

The collaboration between Renault and IRCAM began with the creation of a sporty sound for DeZir which conveys the driving enjoyment associated with the car. In the case of FRENDZY, the aim was to produce a custom sound which corresponds with the new concept car's calling as an "office on wheels".

FRENDZY's dual personality prompted Renault and IRCAM to develop a broad range of sounds. The programme has led to a variety of sounds that are emitted both inside and outside of the vehicle to ensure that everyone can tell whether it is in business or passenger car mode, thanks simply to its sound signature.

More impressive still, it is possible to distinguish the passenger side (the world of work) from the driver's side (the world of the family) merely by the sound produced by FRENDZY.

The life of the vehicle and its functions as a mobile office are highlighted by a diversity of sounds composed by Andrea Cera using IRCAM's Modalys software. As he says himself: "Exploring the most informative sounds possible led me to work on variations in speed in order to express them in a clear manner. When accelerating hard, the sound becomes sharper, with a little wind noise. For deceleration phases, I added a more prominent notion of wind which provides greater scope for adapting the sound as a function of how the vehicle is being employed."

Monaco Fisker Karma debuts

The Fisker Karma is an electric sedan with range extender, which comes from the U.S.and is built by Valmet in Finland, it made its first european public appearance with HSH Prince Albert of Monaco and Henrik Fisker on board.

The Fisker Karma can hit a top speed of 125mph and accelerate from 0-60mph in just 5.9 seconds. While the sports car can run up to 50 miles on battery power alone until the small petrol engine kicks in to power the electric motors.

Fisker Karma hybrid is powered by two rear-mounted 201.5 horsepower (150 kW) electric traction motors and a 175 kW electric generator to power the motors. There is enough power to move you around at a good pace, but the range is a bit shabby in electric mode at 50 miles or 80 km.

Also unique are the 22-inch aluminum wheels which come standard on the car





Press Release

FISKER KARMA MAKES EUROPEAN DYNAMIC DEBUT AT MONACO GRAND PRIX

• Head of State, HSH Prince Albert of Monaco joined company co-founder Henrik Fisker to drive Karma around Monaco Grand Prix circuit
• Newest addition to Fisker's global retailer network located behind the 'pit straight'

Monaco, 29/05/2011: Visitors to the world's most prestigious motorsport event, the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix, were among the first to see the first Fisker Karma off the production line put through its paces as it made its European driving debut on the famous street circuit.

On Saturday 28 May 2011, before official race qualifying began, the first European production version of the Fisker Karma, the world's first true Electric Vehicle with extended range, took to the streets of Monaco, completing a couple of laps.

The vehicle was piloted by Albert II, Sovereign Prince of Monaco. His Serene Highness was joined during this momentous occasion by company co-founder, CEO and executive design director, Henrik Fisker. This event marked the first dynamic, public showing of the Karma in Europe.

Fisker commented: "The Fisker Karma project has a distinct Monaco link. Prince Albert was one of the people who inspired me to create the Fisker Karma. When I met him at the Top Marques Show in Monaco in 2006 he commented that he would love to see a fuel-efficient luxury car, and from that small seed grew the concept of what became Fisker Automotive and our focus on premium EVer cars that deliver pure driving passion.

"We want to thank both the principality of Monaco and Prince Albert for not only being the inspiration, but also a great support for our groundbreaking automotive green initiative," continued Fisker.

Designed to reflect Henrik's paradigm of Responsible Luxury™, the Fisker Karma is the first American-designed and engineered luxury vehicle specifically developed to appeal to world markets. It is the only luxury sedan in the world that meets future fuel consumption and emission requirements, making it suitable for any international city.

The Karma was also on static display during the race weekend, both at the chicane exiting the tunnel, turns 10 and 11, otherwise known as the Nouvelle Chicane, and thereafter in Cavallari – Monaco Motors, Fisker's newest dealership, located on 6- 11 rue Princesse Florestine, MC 98000.

The only true Electric Vehicle with extended range, the Fisker Karma drives its rear wheels using two rear-mounted 201.5 horsepower (150 kW) electric traction motors that draw energy from the lithium-ion battery pack for up to 50 miles (80 km). The gasoline engine drives a 175 kW electric generator to power the motors; there is no mechanical link between this engine and the drive motors.

Uniquely, the Fisker Karma can run in one of two drive modes: Stealth and Sport. Stealth Mode maximizes efficiency, giving the car its greatest range on battery power before activating the gasoline engine-driven generator to sustain battery charge. In Stealth Mode, the Karma can accelerate from zero to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 7.9 seconds and achieve a top speed of 95 mph (153 km/h). With Sport Mode engaged, the gasoline engine drives the generator to provide enough electricity for 403 total system horsepower, allowing the Karma to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in just 5.9 seconds and achieve a top speed of 125 mph (201 km/h).

In all aspects of performance, the Fisker Karma is designed to be a true driver's car. Its proprietary, advanced aluminum space frame incorporates new levels of rigidity and strength that give the Karma world-class ride and handling characteristics. Fisker Automotive's engineering team designed the Karma's space frame around the car's unique powertrain, filing for multiple patents in the process.

Benefitting from a four-wheel independent SLA (double-wishbone) suspension, also employing aluminum components, the Karma has been specifically tuned to run on standard 22-inch aluminum wheels, a first for a production car.

Production of the Fisker Karma recently started at Valmet Automotive's Uusikaupunki facility in Finland with Fisker aiming to achieve full build rate by the second half of 2011. It is Fisker's plan to deliver vehicles to all current deposit holders during the 2011 model year.

More information on the Fisker Karma, as well as a full equipment list and technical specification, is available at www.fiskerkarmamedia.com.

- Ends -

Notes to editors:


ABOUT FISKER AUTOMOTIVE, INC.

Fisker Automotive is a privately owned, premium auto company creating environmentally conscious vehicles with passion, style and performance. Global headquarters are in Anaheim, California, USA. Acclaimed auto designer Henrik Fisker and industry veteran Bernhard Koehler established the company in 2007. Previously, Fisker was a board member and design director for Aston Martin, as well as president and CEO of DesignworksUSA, BMW's North American design arm. Koehler led operations for Ford's Global Advanced Design Studio in London and created concept cars for Aston Martin, MINI and BMW.

Porsche Boxster E Prototypes

The Michelin Challenge Bibendum is an annual event run by the French tire company aimed at promoting the development of sustainable mobility. At this year’s event in the German capital of Berlin Porsche rolled out its Boxster E electric car prototype, revealing a few more saucy details about its testing schedule and zero-emission future.

In total, Porsche had three Boxster E models which weren’t just on display, but were available (to a select few) to be driven around a course. While two of the prototypes feature a traditional Boxster rear-drive layout Porsche has also built an electric AWD version.

The Porsche Boxster E is equipped with a 90kW motor (about 120 hp), while torque is about 270 Nm. Performance stats are 0-100 km/hr in 9.8 seconds. That is significantly slower than the traditional Boxster’s 6.5 seconds. If that’s not enough for traditional Porsche enthusiasts, the company has worked on a solution of offering two motors totalling 240 hp and torque of 540 Nm. In that set-up, acceleration is down to about 5.5 seconds.
Each of the battery’s cells has a nominal voltage of 3.3 V and an individual capacity of 20 Ah. Its energy content is 29 kWh of which approximately 26 kWh are available for use. Its maximum power output is 240 kW, or 60 kilowatts more than the all-wheel drive Boxster E draws under full load. The battery and power unit components are connected to two water cooling circuits.

All three prototypes are outfitted with ceramic composite regenerative brakes, an electric air conditioner, a revised instrument cluster and an active sound system that provides drivers with acoustic feedback. 

Press Release

Boxster E prototypes attract many prospective customers

Stuttgart. The two Boxster E prototypes which Porsche showed off at the Michelin Challenge Bibendum in Berlin last week have proved to be a real attraction to the public. At this forum for sustainable mobility, which was staged for the eleventh time this year, representatives from politics, industry, trade and research discussed the environmentally-friendly mobility and vehicle concepts of the future. The trips in the electric Boxsters were in particular demand amongst the expert audience. On a sporty circuit, the vehicles demonstrated that a Boxster with electric drive still remains a genuine Porsche in terms of driving dynamics. In the wake of the GT3 R Hybrid, 918 Spyder and 918 RSR, the Boxster E is yet another sports car concept exhibiting the brand's characteristic combination of research and driving pleasure.

The Boxster E, with one electric motor apiece on front and rear axle, runs on purely electric power with four-wheel drive and is equivalent to a Boxster S in terms of driving dynamics. Together with two other Boxster Es, in which an electric motor drives the rear wheels, the prototype is being used 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 are after is an understanding of the requirements facing future products, where to go next with Porsche Intelligent Performance and how to integrate electric vehicles into the infrastructure.

The practical trials with the three Boxster Es are part of the "Model Region Electro-Mobility Stuttgart" large-scale trial. The Stuttgart model region is being sponsored as part of the Federal Government's "Electro-Mobility in Model Regions" project. The Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development (BMVBS) is making approximately 130 million euro available from the Federal Government's economic stimulus package II for eight model regions nationwide. The project is being coordinated by NOW GmbH, the National Organisation for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology.

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 peculiar to the mid-engine design.

The Boxster E is an all-electric vehicle without any additional combustion engine on board. Propulsion is provided by two independent electric motors with constant mesh gearboxes that act on the front and rear axles. The rear drive unit comprising motor and transmission, together with the power electronics for controlling the electric motor is located where the manual transmission and exhaust system are accommodated in the conventional Boxster. In the front end, the space vacated by the 64-litre fuel tank, now redundant, is occupied by the second drive unit. The power electronics unit in the adjacent luggage compartment serves the front axle electric motor. The Boxster E thereby features all-wheel drive without mechanical transmission of power. To ensure maximum driving stability and traction, a central electric control unit looks after the synchronisation of the two electric motors and controls the drive torque distribution to the front and rear axle.

The two electric motors develop a total power output of 180 kW and a maximum total torque of 540 Nm at a maximum engine speed of approximately 12,000 rpm. That means that the two electric motors in tandem deliver significantly higher drive power than what is available from present day hybrid vehicles' electric-power units. Not only does the Boxster E's all-electric drive produce no emissions - it also offers a completely novel form of driving pleasure. The electric drive's maximum torque kicks in virtually from the first turn of the engine. The Boxster E moves almost silently while at the same time developing powerful propulsion from the very outset. The two motors enable the two-seater to sprint to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.5 seconds from a standing start. Its top speed, limited to 200 km/h (124 mph) is achieved without any gear change at all - whether automatic or manual. The two machines' high power output offers a second advantage into the bargain: It means more recovered power is available because more energy can be recovered during braking. This increases efficiency of the drive unit.

In the case of the two other Boxster Es with rear wheel drive there is no front electric motor, which means that they deliver a power output of 90 kW and a rated torque of 270 Nm. They manage the sprint from a standing start to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 9.8 seconds with their top speed being achieved at 150 km/h (93 mph). Because all Boxster Es are comparatively quiet on the road, Porsche engineers have designed an Active Sound Design system that provides drivers with acoustic feedback as well as alerting any passersby.

Irrespective of variant, the heart of every Boxster E is manufactured by Porsche. This lithium-iron-phosphate based traction battery is fitted in place of the combustion engine. Each of its cells has a nominal voltage of 3.3 V and an individual capacity of 20 Ah. Based on the NEDC, the combined energy from 440 individual cells is good for approximately 170 kilometres (107 miles) of driving pleasure in the Boxster E with its ready-for-the-road weight of a mere 1,600 kg. For an overall weight of 341 kg, the battery's energy content is 29 kWh of which for inherent physical reasons approximately 26 kWh are available for use - an outstanding performance for a battery. Its maximum power output is 240 kW, or 60 kilowatts more than the all-wheel Boxster E draws under full load. The battery and power unit components are connected to two water cooling circuits. As with the conventional power unit, the heat exchangers are accommodated behind the front air intakes.

The battery is anchored to the same points on the body structure as the combustion engine in the Boxster S. There are numerous advantages to this, especially in the event of a crash, because by using the same load paths as in the Boxster S, the battery is optimally retained within the vehicle while at the same time being protected from damage by the surrounding body structure thanks to its central position within the vehicle. As with the combustion engine in the production vehicle, the traction battery is installed in the Boxster E from below and can be swapped out very quickly if so required. This is also facilitated by special motor sport fasteners that enable the battery to be disconnected from the cooling circuit without air getting into the system.

The traction battery is charged via a charging cable. Any conventional socket can be used as an energy source. The charging port on the vehicle features an illuminated ring and as with any Porsche sports car the vehicle is recharged at the front end. The charger is accommodated at the front of the car. It converts alternating current from the socket into direct current, enabling the traction battery to store the electric energy. Its charging capacity is a maximum of 3.3 kW meaning that is takes approximately nine hours for a full charge. The charging time can however be reduced using a rapid charging function. There is enough space left over for luggage in the front luggage compartment despite the electronic components; the Boxster E's rear luggage compartment remains unchanged.

It goes without saying that all of the production models' important safety and comfort features are replicated in the Boxster E as well. The new brake system enables an optimal melding of the braking forces of the electrical generators and the mechanical brake system, the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (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: a sort of 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.