The first Boxster E sports car features two 90kW/270Nm electric motors – one mounted on the rear axle and one on the front axle, occupying the space usually filled by the fuel tank.

As a result, the Boxster E is all-wheel drive and produces a combined total of 180kW of power and 540Nm of torque at a dizzying 12,000rpm (unfortunately, there’s no tacho inside, only an ‘E-power’ meter).

With a Porsche-built 29kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery on board, the all-wheel drive Boxster E accelerates from 0-100km/h in just 5.5 seconds and is limited to a top speed of 200km/h.

Porsche has also developed two single-engined rear-wheel drive Boxster E prototypes, which sprint from 0-100kmh in a rather un-Porsche-like time of 9.8 seconds and are all out of puff at 150km/h.

Porsche says the Boxster E can achieve a range of 170km before it needs to be recharged, which takes nine hours from a standard power outlet or substantially less time from a fast-charge port.

The battery adds 341kg to the weight of the Boxster, with the total body weight tipping the scales at 1600kg (believed to be the single-engined variant). The standard petrol-powered production Boxster weighs 1355kg.

Despite the extra weight, Porsche says the twin-engined E variant has the driving dynamics of a Boxster S.

The Boxster E makes few sacrifices, with all safety features carried over from the production model and the rear luggage compartment unchanged.

The ceramic composite brakes are new and have been designed to optimise energy recuperation, while a revised TFT display screen provides intelligent information about range and how many kilometres you can save by changing the vehicle’s settings.

The three Porsche Boxster E prototypes are currently being trialled as part of the Model Region Electro-Mobility Stuttgart program.

Porsche is yet to announce its plans for a production version of the Boxster E.