subject: The Porsche Boxster E [print this page] A new player in the electric car market unveiled their prototype car last February. Porsche has opened to the critical car market its version of fuel efficiency, the Boxster E. The car is essentially a classic Boxster on the outside but a wholly different car altogether under the hood.
The Boxster E uses two independent electric motors, one located on the front axle and the other at the rear of the car. These two vehicles running in conjunction is able to produce a total of 241 horsepower and a maximum torque of 398 lbs per foot. The engine speed can run at a maximum of 12,000 revolutions per minute. All these can help propel the car from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just about 5.5 seconds with a maximum speed of 124 miles per hour. Decent numbers by Porsche standards.
The Boxster E runs on an all wheel drive using a central electric control unit that synchronizes the power output of the two electric motors and distributes the torque power in both front and rear axles of the car. The total power output of the electric motors is pegged at 180 kW that allows the heavy Boxster to run along the road. The motors are not simple machines but are motors that are at par with the best Porsche engineering can provide for even its normal internal combustion engine cars.
The feature that makes this Porsche stand out is the acoustic system. Called the Active Sound Design system that provides the car an engine sound, since electric cars do not produce any sound at all. The sound produced is the classic six cylinder Porsche engine running. When the accelerator is pushed, the louder the sound comes on through the two speakers in the car. One speaker is at the rear of the car and the second one is set in the cabin. This not only provides music to the hard-core Porsche enthusiast but also warns people and bystanders that the all-electric Porsche is on the road.
The car is colored silver and orange and is currently able to seat two people in its cockpit. The battery is an array of 340 individual cells that are kept cool using liquid coolant. The batteries are made of lithium ion packs. A fully charged battery pack is able to run for 107 miles making for a good car under a great car manufacturer.
