- The next generation of the Porsche 718 is expected to go all-electric.
- Unlike the Porsche Taycan, the 718 must remain a lightweight sports car.
- Porsche and partner Rimac are working on the project.
The Porsche Taycan is still a very hot item but, in the background, Porsche engineers are hard at work on the next full-EV product. While some markets will get an electric Porsche Macan as early as next year, it’s the next Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman that are causing some headaches. Unlike the Macan and the Taycan, battery weight is a massive issue for the smaller Porsche sports cars and it is hindering further development.
In a chat with CAR magazine, Dr Michael Steiner, member of the Executive Board – Research and Development at Porsche AG, explained that true “Porscheness” is proving difficult to infuse into the 718. The weight of currently available batteries hinders agility, and sports car-like behaviour expected from a 718 Porsche. He added that: “We are running several electrified Boxsters to gain expertise and knowledge to see how an electric car performs as a two-door. But there is no final decision yet.”
For the moment, the Macan EV will be next to launch and there’s still no official timelines for the next 718. Development continues with the help of Rimac as Porsche has investment in the Croatian electric car company. Even so, the current 982 generation 718 will likely be around until at least 2023. We’re ok with that.
Last week, we talked about the future of the 911 and, according to Porsche CEO Blume, it will never go full-EV.
2020 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 | Photo: Porsche
