Tag Archives: Porsche

News

The Frauscher x Porsche 850 Fantom Redefines Electric Boating

It’s not every day that a sports car brand breaks a maritime speed record. But Porsche, known for its relentless pursuit of performance, has just done that—on water. In collaboration with the prestigious Austrian boatbuilder Frauscher, the Stuttgart-based marque has helped create the Frauscher x Porsche 850 Fantom, a sleek and fully electric day cruiser that just stormed the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, clocking an average speed of 49.84 knots (92.3 km/h) to set a new event record.

As summer indulgences go, Porsche fans with a taste for opulence and speed are no longer confined to the tarmac. With this 8.67-meter-long, 2.49-meter-wide vessel, performance-loving enthusiasts now have the chance to extend their passion for the crest beyond the road and into the open sea.

Porsche E-Performance Hits the High Seas

What powers this aquatic rocket? None other than the electric drive system from the Porsche Macan Turbo. Re-engineered for maritime conditions, the setup features a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PSM) and high-voltage battery capable of up to 400 kW (544 hp). That’s serious thrust on water—enough to hit top speeds around 90 km/h (49 knots) in Sport Plus mode.

Charging is equally impressive. Thanks to Porsche’s 800-volt architecture, the boat supports DC fast charging up to 270 kW, meaning you can top it up almost as fast as a Taycan. For leisurely marina overnights, 11 kW AC charging is also onboard.

Elegance in Motion, Above and Below Deck

While the speed figures are headline-grabbing, the 850 Fantom’s real appeal lies in its blend of performance and design. Drawing from the iconic Frauscher 858 Fantom hull, this boat oozes style, particularly in its Porsche-exclusive Oakgreen Metallic Neo paint. Two variants are available: the Runabout, with a closed foredeck and cabin, and the Air, which opts for a more open, lounge-like design.

Inside, the attention to detail is unmistakable. From ergonomic helm controls to luxuriously upholstered lounging zones, this is no mere electric experiment—it’s a statement of luxury lifestyle.

Innovation Rewarded in Monaco

The boat’s historic victory at the 12th Monaco Energy Boat Challenge further cements its credentials. Backed by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the event promotes zero-emission mobility solutions tested under real conditions. In the “Open Sea” class, the 850 Fantom not only outpaced international rivals, but also caught the personal interest of Prince Albert II himself, who was given a close-up look by Frauscher CEO Stefan Frauscher.

“This success not only underlines the boat’s technical innovation,” said Frauscher, “but also marks an important milestone in the development of electric propulsion in the maritime sector.”

Jörg Kerner, Vice President of the Porsche Macan product line, echoed this sentiment: “It proves that Porsche E-Performance enables top performance not only on the road, but also on the water.”

Price Tag and Perspective

All this innovation and exclusivity doesn’t come cheap. The Frauscher x Porsche 850 Fantom commands a price of €571,000, or roughly five times the cost of the Macan whose electric heart it shares. But for Porsche aficionados used to paying a premium for engineering brilliance and brand pedigree, it’s a fitting investment for their floating garage.

With a range of around 100 km at low speeds, or 45 km at cruising speed (22 knots), the 850 Fantom is perfectly suited for day trips along the Côte d’Azur, the Adriatic, or any exclusive marina where “quiet luxury” and “brute speed” are no longer contradictions.

In partnering with Frauscher, Porsche has done more than just lend its badge to a boat. It’s delivered an experience that reflects the brand’s DNA: elegant, innovative, and exhilarating. The 850 Fantom isn’t just a boat—it’s a waterside evolution of the sports car, offering an electrified, eco-conscious alternative to traditional marine motorsports.

Whether docked at Port Hercules or roaring down a coastal route, this is a Porsche through and through—only now, it makes waves.

Specifications Snapshot: Frauscher x Porsche 850 Fantom

  • Length / Width: 8.67 m / 2.49 m
  • Power: 400 kW (544 hp) electric motor (Porsche Macan Turbo)
  • Top Speed: ~90 km/h (49 knots)
  • Range: Up to 100 km at low speeds; 45 km at cruising speed (22 kn)
  • Charging: DC up to 270 kW / AC up to 11 kW
  • Price: €571,000
  • Variants: Runabout (closed deck), Air (open deck)
  • Paint Highlight: Oakgreen Metallic Neo

Source: Porsche

Auctions

Dua Lipa’s Custom Porsche 911 GT3 RS Heads to Auction for Charity

Three-time Grammy Award winner Dua Lipa may be conquering the global music stage with her Radical Optimism world tour, but her passion isn’t confined to soundtracks and stadiums. Like many automotive enthusiasts, she’s been indulging in the digital thrill of supercar configurators — and now, that virtual hobby has translated into a very real, very special car.

Meet the Rennstall Porsche 911 GT3 RS, Dua Lipa’s custom-built dream machine, heading to auction via RM Sotheby’s. “Rennstall,” which means “racing team” in German, might sound like a prelude to a motorsport debut, but Lipa isn’t gearing up for the 24 Hours of Le Mans — at least, not yet. Instead, this striking, track-focused Porsche is destined for the auction block, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting her Sunny Hill Foundation, which supports youth, art, and culture in her native Kosovo.

Unveiled at the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix, the car reflects Lipa’s signature boldness and flair. RM Sotheby’s describes the car’s vivid, retro-themed colorway as “a perfect reflection of the liveliness that characterizes Dua Lipa’s stage design and performances.” And they’re not wrong. With a bespoke configuration and meticulous attention to detail, this GT3 RS is as performance-focused as it is artistic.

Underneath the eye-catching exterior lies Porsche’s finest performance tech. The Rennstall GT3 RS is equipped with the Weissach Package, offering extensive weight reduction through carbon-fiber panels and suspension upgrades. It rolls on lightweight magnesium wheels, stops with carbon-ceramic brakes, and features a Guards Red Sport Chrono package, matching the red tachometer and stopwatch inside. It’s a true enthusiast’s car, with every box ticked — and the aesthetic to match.

While not destined for Dua’s personal garage, the car was recently seen in action at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where she rode shotgun with Karen Gaillard of the all-female Iron Dames racing team. The car has covered just over 4,800 kilometers (3,000 miles), and now the question remains: what price will it fetch at auction?

Given its unique spec, celebrity provenance, and charitable cause, it wouldn’t be surprising if this Rennstall GT3 RS becomes one of the most coveted 911s to hit the block in recent memory. For collectors and Porsche purists alike, it represents a rare intersection of performance, personality, and purpose.

Source: RM Sotheby’s

Gallery:

Dua Lipa’s Custom Porsche 911 GT3 RS Heads to Auction for Charity
NEW CARS

Porsche Prepares the Next-Gen 911 GT3 Cup Car for Global Racing Stage

Porsche is sharpening the claws of its legendary one-make race car with the upcoming debut of the all-new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, based on the freshly updated 992.2-generation 911. Set to be unveiled later this summer, the track weapon will make its competitive debut in the 2026 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup and selected Carrera Cup series worldwide.

Since its inception in 1990 with the German Carrera Cup and the Supercup’s debut alongside Formula 1 races in 1993, the 911 Cup program has evolved into a global motorsport powerhouse. Today, over a dozen national and regional Carrera Cups span the globe—from Australia and Japan to Europe and the Americas—making the Cup car one of the most raced and produced competition machines in history. In fact, with 5,381 units built to date, it holds its ground as one of the most prolific race cars ever assembled.

The current 992.1-based 911 GT3 Cup, introduced in 2021, alone has seen over 1,130 examples roll off the line at Porsche’s Zuffenhausen plant, where Cup cars are built right alongside production 911s. It takes just under eight hours to assemble one of these precision instruments.

More Than a Facelift

Development of the new Cup car began in January 2024 at Porsche Motorsport’s Weissach facility, and while it retains the 911’s road car DNA, this is very much a purpose-built racer. Major attention was given to aerodynamic improvements at the front, enhancing both downforce and drivability. Updates also touch on safety, electronics, braking systems, drivetrain components, and of course, its high-revving flat-six boxer engine.

Jan Feldmann, Porsche Motorsport’s Project Manager for GT racing cars, emphasized that the current 911 GT3 Cup was already operating at a high level:

“This has allowed us to focus more on feedback from the global one-make cups and develop a racing car that has been refined in many areas compared to the current Cup 911.”

Built on Sustainability

In a notable nod to Porsche’s broader sustainability ambitions, the new Cup car was developed and tested exclusively using eFuel, the same synthetic racing fuel used in the 2025 Supercup season. The FIA-compliant eFuel blend is made up of 79.7% renewable components, including methanol-to-gasoline (MtG) synthetic raw petrol and waste-based ethanol. The result? A 66% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to conventional fossil fuels—without sacrificing the high-performance edge expected from a Porsche.

With a 100.5 RON octane rating, the new fuel was engineered specifically for the 911’s boxer engine, providing the same punch while aligning with the next era of sustainable motorsport.

Proven by Champions

The test program saw the new car pushed to the limits at Monza, Lausitzring, and Weissach’s in-house circuit by a talented group of Porsche-contracted drivers. That roster included 2023 Supercup champion Bastian Buus, 2024 FIA Endurance Trophy winner Klaus Bachler, IMSA GTD Pro champion Laurin Heinrich, and seasoned veteran Marco Seefried.

With its comprehensive upgrades, global pedigree, and commitment to carbon-neutral racing, the upcoming Porsche 911 GT3 Cup is poised to continue its reign as the standard bearer of one-make motorsport.

Source: Porsche