Porsche Macan teased by Austrian boat builder

26 June 2023

You couldn’t make this one up - an Austrian boatbuilder teases images of the upcoming all-electric Porsche Macan. Digging a little bit deeper reveals yet another collaboration from Porsche, this time the company shared its EV technology with Frauscher, an Austrian boatbuilder famous for its 858 Fantom Air day cruiser.

Daycruisers are those sleek open-top boats with classic 60s and 70s looks - teak deck, very long bow, low windshield, and an engine bay right behind the passengers, usually housing two giant V8s or V12s. You can find them at all the famous lakes and marinas across Europe and even in the US, watching them glide over the water accompanied by the roar of those engines is an experience like no other.

Porsche is not a stranger to collaborations with other industries and its marine history stretches far back. Frauscher is one of many companies realizing that electric power is here to stay and the marine industry is next in line for a big shakeup when it comes to propulsion. The Austrian boatbuilder’s choice of Porsche as a partner is a very savvy move, one that will attract many customers.

So, what is it all about? Porsche and Frauscher took the 858 Fantom Air and redesigned it just a bit, making sure the classic lines are kept intact. Since the gasoline-powered engines are gone, the huge gas tanks were no longer needed and so the front deck is gone, replaced with a seating area for up to 9 people. The new boat is called Frauscher x Porsche 850 Fantom Air, and the nearly 354 inches-long cruiser is ready for a limited 25-unit production run.

Powered by the upcoming Macan’s 100 kWh battery pack and its two PSM electric motors, the 850 Fantom apparently behaves as any Porsche should. The advantage of electric propulsion is the same on water as it is on the road - the instant torque means unprecedented acceleration. The added silence and lack of fumes are a no-brainer reason why every boat should run on electrons.

The 850 Fantom project was a good excuse for Porsche to tease the upcoming Macan. It is actually the very first time we get to see the full silhouette of the first electric SUV from Porsche. The Macan in the drawing looks very sporty, it has broad wheel arches and a low, swooping roof line. Vice President of Product Line, Jörg Kerner, referred to the Macan as “the most sporty SUV” in its segment and we can’t wait to put those claims to the test.

The Frauscher x Porsche 850 Fantom is a great collaboration, it shows that electric propulsion and EV technology are ready for prime time in the marine world. It shows as well that Macan is ready, and it should have been revealed a long time ago but is being held back by the software issues plaguing the entire VW Group. It’s sad for Porsche fans that Frauscher’s customers will be the first to experience the Macan’s powertrain. At the same time, once the Macan eventually makes it to the market, it should be a proper hoot to drive. After all, it can power a $320,000 speed boat.

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