Worldwide First Serial Hybrid Propulsion System for Pleasure Boats

The long standing collaboration between the Austrian companies STEYR MOTORS and Frauscher Bootswerft has now resulted in the exciting commercial launch of the worldwide first serial Hybrid Propulsion System for pleasure boats at "Boot Düsseldorf" in January 2008.

Frauscher's extensive experience with electric and combustion engines as well as their 80 years of boat building expertise have been of significant value to STEYR MOTORS and the development process. STEYR MOTORS is well known for its low emission, light weight Marine diesel engines with electronic engine management.

The environmentally friendly hybrid solution marks a new chapter in the history of pleasure boat propulsion. It not only assures zero emission and low speed manoeuvring in harbours, noiseless drive on inland waters and nature reserves, but also eliminates the need for separate generator units for other onboard equipment. The "zero emission" electric drive mode allows for a speed of 5 knots using solely electric propulsion and switches to the combustion engine with an easy turn of the ignition key. The ingenious propulsion then gets "boosted" by the electric drive and secures a quicker acceleration into the planning phase lowering fuel consumption and improving response as well as dynamics. Significantly reduced maintenance cost and improved ease of service, due to the brushless permanent magnet generator, are further irrevocable arguments that STEYR MOTORS and Frauscher Boats are introducing a serious technological novelty.

STEYR MOTORS perfects the handling with the Steyr Electronic Control Centre (SCC) that regulates all of the driver's demands and assures convenient monitoring of all operating modes.

The unique configuration of the hybrid propulsion will immediately allow Frauscher to seamlessly equip all of their stylish leisure boats with the sustainable innovation.

For further information please contact susanne.schirl@bootswerf.at.

Luxe Float

European elegance comes stateside with Luxe Marine's Frauscher's Collectiion. The 686 Lido, the 606 Riviera and the 757 St. Tropez models, all between 20 and 25 feet, combine performance, craftsmanship and technology and can reach speeds up to 55 mph and are known for their powerful performance, their detailed craftsmanship, and their superior technology.

Classical Music

They say the Frauscher 757 St. Tropez combines the spirit of the classic runabout with the function of a modern motoryacht. View Article - PDF

Gmunden, 4th July 2007

A prominent shipyard from Gmunden, a Swiss luxury watch manufacturer from Le Locle and a traditional jeweller and watchmaker from Austria extended an invitation to the west jetty on the lake shores at Neusiedl am See, Austria.

Not only elegant Frauscher boats were on show to admire and test here. A luxury sports wristwatch specially produced for Frauscher by Ulysse Nardin, one of the most exclusive of all Swiss watchmakers and one with a major maritime tradition, was presented in cooperation with the watchmaker master Hubner. While the Frauscher boats presented at the weekend event (23rd to 24th June) all sped across the water powered by on board motors, the sport chronograph with its deep blue watch face, has no power source and is exclusively mechanical.

Press contact shipyard Frauscher:

Press contact Ulysse Nardin Europe:

Photo (top, right): Family entrepreneurs all in one boat - Astrid Stuger-Hubner, Stefan Frauscher, Renato Bonina (Ulysse Nardin), and Andrea Daum-Hubner

Photo (top, left):Picture Frauscher Ulysse Nardin watch

The "Heartbeat Finale" in the fiercely contested title running for "Motorboat of the Year 2007" was much more than just nerve racking. And at the start of the HISWA Boat Show in Amsterdam the Frauscher 686 Lido took an outstanding 2nd place a hair?s breath behind the Kuster A-42 from IJmuiden, the Netherlands.

Totally new qualities on board

This was a prize ? it is all set down in black and white ? which intelligent Frauscher-innovation thoroughly deserved to win. Criteria like the fast ride, incredible curving speeds and stability plus the generous spatial concept and the finest quality in the materials selection were put through punishing and strenuous paces from stem to stern. The new Frauscher passed with flying colours in each point without exception through all the intensive challenges posed by a long and demanding checklist.

Our dream team as a success guarantor

Everyone at Frauscher headquarters is now especially proud of the successful team around Georg Nissen following this striking result: the Frauscher chief constructor has once again demonstrated in the 686 Lido, as with the previous model that his ability is scarcely less than sheer genius. When it comes to the secrets of perfect gliding and rough water qualities there is no one who can even approach our top professional Nissen.  Development manager Thomas Gerzer and interior designers Georg Hochleitner and Wolfgang Gebetsroither added to this highest standard of innovation power with their unfailing touch for a totally individual and functional design creating an impressive symbiosis of technology that is a signpost to the future with first class material quality plus an utterly fascinating appearance.

HISWA Amsterdam

The nominated and prize-winning boats could be admired at the HISWA Boat Show in the Amsterdam RAI until 11 March.

Link to HISWA
Link to Frauscher