ervtx

Does anyone know if this will be available for prior models?

http://www.9magazine.com/?p=268

(Article states availability only for 2010 GT3's, RS's and Boxter Spyders)

roberga

sounds like the earlier models do not the the electronics to keep the battery alive.

DRG13

My e-mail from Porsche on this battery sounded as if it will be available for retrofit in Feb. for $1,700

flash1034

According to the information I read somewhere, it IS retrofitable and will be available for order through the parts Dept as well for other cars.

Flash

ervtx

The article (linked in the PCA email) states it this way:

"The new lithium-ion battery will also be available for retrofitting from February 2010 on the three models mentioned from Porsche Tequipment."

The three models mentioned earlier in the article were the 2010 GT3, GT3 RS, and Boxter Spyder.

Seems to me that this wording implies some compatibility issue with other models.

MJones

The AG Press Release

World Debut: Starter Battery in Lithium-Ion TechnologyNew Lightweight Battery Option for the Porsche 911 GT3, 911 GT3 RS, and Boxster Spyder

Stuttgart. Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, is the first car maker in the world to offer a starter battery in lithium-ion technology. Weighing less than 6 kg or 13 lb, the new battery is more than 10 kg or 22 lb lighter than a conventional 60 Ah lead battery.

The new lithium-ion battery will be available as of January 2010 for the 911 GT3, 911 GT 3 RS, and Boxster Spyder as an option delivered with the car, selling at a price in the German market of Euro 1,904 including 19 per cent value-added tax.

The battery is delivered as a separate unit together with the car and may subsequently be fitted as an alternative to the regular, conventional starter battery.
[+]

The cars are delivered with both batteries, therefore they are ready for use throughout the whole year. Since, while the lightweight battery offers a very high standard of everyday driving qualities, its starting capacity is limited at temperatures below 0o C or 32o F due to its specific features.

The primary reason for developing and introducing the new battery was its lower weight. In sports cars built consistently for superior driving dynamics such as the two versions of the 911 GT3 and the
Boxster Spyder, less weight naturally means even greater agility and driving dynamics.

In its length and width the lithium-ion battery comes in the same dimensions as the regular battery, but is approximately 70 millimetres or 2.8” lower. The fastening points, electrical connections and voltage range are fully compatible with the respective models, allowing simple and quick replacement of the standard lead battery by the lightweight unit, for example when racing on the track.

With its nominal capacity of 18 Ah, the lithium-ion battery, through its specific features, offers a level of practical output and performance not only comparable to that of a 60 Ah lead battery, but rather even better in many cases.

On a conventional car battery only about 30 per cent of the total capacity is actually available for practical use due to the configuration of the system, while this restriction does not apply to the lithium-ion battery. On the contrary, through its characteristic structure – and, in particular, the independence of the chemical composition of the electrolytes from the charge status – a lithium-ion battery consistently offers almost 100 per cent of its capacity.

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.

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.

Yet a further benefit is that a lithium-ion battery allows a significantly greater number of charging and discharging cycles, plus the two further advantages that the self-discharging effect is lower and the service life of the battery longer.

The lithium-ion battery being introduced by Porsche as the pioneer in this area is made up of wound film of carbon and iron phosphate with a ceramic film moisturised by the electrolyte serving as a separating layer in between. Compared with other types of lithium-ion batteries using a combination of manganese oxide, cobalt oxide or nickel, this lithium-
iron-phosphate battery, as it is called, offers advantages when used as a starter battery. It is robust and consistently guarantees the usual voltage of 12 V in the car’s on-board network.

The lightweight battery is made up of four cells and integrated control electronics. This battery management system protects the battery from major discharge and guarantees a consistent charge level within the individual cells. Once battery voltage drops below a certain threshold, a warning signal reminds the driver to re-charge the battery either simply by driving the car through the power of the engine running or by means of a conventional battery charger.

The new lithium-ion battery will also be available for retrofitting from February 2010 on the three models mentioned from Porsche Tequipment. The sales price in Germany when retrofitted after delivery of the car is Euro 2,499 including 19 per cent value-added tax.

Serge944

That's an expensive battery - what's wrong with a $200 Odyssey?

ervtx

That was the press release to which I provided a link in my first post.

(And it still does not answer my question)

The weight savings, combined with the high center of gravity from which that weight it saved. If those 22 lbs extra pounds were located any higher, they'd have to be inside the passenger compartment above the level of the dashboard. The standard Porsche batteries are also notorious for going prematurely dead (for good) if they sit unused for very long; so much so PCNA requires a minimum mileage per day on them before they will cover a dead battery under warranty. Good question, though. That's one hell of a price for a battery.

AudiOn19s

Let the car sit for 4-5 days and you'll know exactly what's wrong with a $200 odyssey. I had one in my 996, currently have one in my M3. When I first got them I was driving the cars every 3rd day or so and I was fine. This year with life getting in the way of enjoying the car I probably drove either one of them once a week. When they started to get infrequent use the battery would pretty well be dead every single time I went to drive the cars. If you're going to run an Odyssey you might as well count on installing a battery tender too and plugging it in every time you walk away from the car unless it's a daily driver.

Andy

Leigh2

I think I'll buy a used Subaru instead for the same amount

flash1034

Im going to pass on it too and let the economies of scale come into play and lower the price.

Flash

Nizer

22lb saving for $1,700 doesn't seem like such a bad trade off when you consider the cost (at least for US saps) to add CGT seats for similar savings over GT2 seats or PCCB for 44lb saving.

As for economics, I think the minute you walk into a Porsche dealership all rational economics goes out the window.

TB993tt

My guy in the know says these are now available direct from Porsche, as fitted on the race cars, and an option on GT3’s…

TB993tt

Data sheet:

JAMS

Makes the Porsche battery look like a bargain at $1700.