Porsche Debuts Starter Li-Ion Battery for 2010 Models

Porsche has just announced that it will offer a starter lithium-ion battery on select 2010 models, including the 911 GT3, 911 GT 3 RS, and Boxster Spyder as an option delivered with the car. The German price will be 1,904 euro including 10 percent value-added tax.

The battery will be sold as a separate unit and could serve as an alternative to the regular battery, Porsche said.

The newly-developed battery weighs 6 kg (13 lbs), which means is more than 10 kg lighter as compared to a 60 Ah conventional battery. It is made of four cells and controls electronics, with the management system protecting the battery for major discharges. In case the battery level goes very low, the driver is warned to re-charge it by using conventional engine power or with the help of a conventional battery charger.

"Delivery of power by the lithium-ion battery throughout its useful charge range is likewise significantly better, providing its full power, for example, when starting the engine almost independently of the current charge level," Porsche said in a release. "After the engine has started, the new Porsche battery shows further benefits in the charge process, being able through its smaller internal resistance to take up more power than a conventional battery and thus re-charge more quickly."

Additionally, Porsche's new battery will be available for retrofitting for the three same models. Pricing on the German market for this particular option will be 2,499 euros including 19 percent value-added tax. This configuration will become available in February 2010.