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New Delhi: Back in 2022, Porsche had vowed to make a fully electric 718 model to replace the Internal Combustion Engine variants, and it had everyone talking. While the EV Boxster and Cayman are still in the plans, Zuffenhausen have realised that eliminating the combustion engine could prove costly. The German sports car makers have been second-guessing their initial plans.
While the present generation of the 718 has its final production run next month, a new generation will be coming soon with an internal combustion engine at the back. In their newest “strategic realignment” Porsche confirmed the next Boxster and Cayman will still have ICE power, although it will be only for the top trims.
It is believed that the ICE could be limited to the RS-badge or something like that. Usually, it is the EV that is the costlier version of the ICE trims; the 718 could be going the opposite way with this strategy. If the coming gen of ICE, though, shares a platform with the cheaper EV variant, then it will require constant re-engineering, since the 718 was intended to be EV-only.
There’s also a chance that the brand from Stuttgart might alternatively update the MMB hardware introduced in 2016 for the 982 series. A whole new platform, though, is unlikely, as it would disturb the budget.
In either case, Porsche going back on its plan of going full-EV is a good sign for many, especially from an enthusiast's point of view. Certainly, it won’t be a hybrid either, and that just keeps the spirit of Porsche in the 718 alive. There will be a long gap, though, between the generations, as it is not due before next year.
In other places, Porsche have confirmed that a future plug-in hybrid is coming in 2028 to replace the first-gen of Macan. The all-electric Cayenne remains in the plans, too, while the Taycan isn’t going to be going away either. However, the three-row “Prestige” SUV, initially planned as an EV-only model but now will come in ICE and PHEV as well, with the ICE version coming first, followed by EV in the year after.
In terms of 911, there isn’t much of a change, and the rear-engined won’t be becoming electric in this decade at least. Hybrids, though, will likely expand beyond GTS and Turbo S. The ICE Cayenne and Panamera will go well into the 2030s as well, with Porsche confirming V8 is going to stay. Porsche still doesn’t have a proper supercar, though.
