Excess 11 Hybrid

The Excess 15 was unveiled some five years now ago at the Cannes boat show with an innovative high-voltage technical solution from Torqeedo. Featuring Deep Blue motors and batteries from BMW, the solution looked more than promising on paper, but in practice it revealed difficulties that might be described as predictable, as well as some surprises that were unexpected to say the least. For instance, the noise generated by the original saildrive propeller shafts proved to be nearly unbearable – simply because the sound was no longer masked by the noise of the diesel engines! Today, hybrid powertrains incorporate the transmission, which is preferable. As for what was expected, the additional cost of this solution (which exceeded € 200,000) was always going to prove to be a deterrent for potential buyers. In short, the plan to hybridize the 15, which was effectively nipped in the bud, had to be shelved. But the experience sparked a series of insights that gave rise to this second attempt at hybridization - the Excess 11 - which is far more accomplished. It’s worth noting the role of the Excess Lab: this brand-dedicated online platform for exchanging ideas highlighted numerous critic...