Porsche has revealed its plans to offer an electric sports car in the future as part of the Porsche 'Intelligent Performance' programme. No launch date has been given but the first prototypes are due on the road in 2011.
Boxster-based development cars will provide information on electric drivetrain components and batteries. The programme will also give the engineers an indication of the infrastructure necessary to support electric driving.
Porsche's President and Chief Executive Officer said, "We will definitely be offering an electric sports car in future. But such a concept only makes sense if it offers performance and a cruising range comparable to that of a sports car today."
The company's hybrid models have not been forgotten, including the 'racing laboratory' 911 GT3 R Hybrid. Due to participate in the finale of the American Le Mans series at Road Atlanta on 2 October, the GT3 R Hybrid will also travel to Zuhal, China, for the six-hour Le Mans International Cup. The purpose of both races is to gather information and publicise the hybrid technology; the current rules of GT racing mean the hybrid is ineligible for championship points.
Development of the 918 Spyder plug-in hybrid concept will also continue. The mid-engined sports car is claimed to combine the ability to lap the Nürburgring in seven minutes 30 seconds with combined fuel consumption of 3.0 litres/100km.
The next petrol-electric model due to go on sale is the Panamera S Hybrid. Sharing technology with the Cayenne S Hybrid - including the ability to run for short distances under electric power - the Panamera hybrid will go on sale next year, by which time there should be a new Porsche dealer operating in Ireland.