Porsche’s U‑Turn on the Electric 718: A Welcome Dose of Reality
For years, Porsche has talked up the next-generation 718 Cayman and Boxster as fully electric models. The plan seemed locked in: a clean break from combustion, a new EV platform, and a future where even the mid‑engined icons would hum rather than howl.
But the world has shifted, and so has Porsche.
Recent reports suggest the brand has quietly reversed course, re‑engineering the upcoming 718 platform so it can take internal combustion and hybrid powertrains alongside electric ones. In other words, the Cayman and Boxster aren’t going fully electric after all, and for many enthusiasts, that’s not bad news.
Why the Change?
The simple answer is demand. EV interest has cooled, especially in the sports car segment. Buyers who want a lightweight, engaging two‑seater aren’t rushing to embrace heavy battery packs and silent drivetrains. Porsche, to its credit, seems to have listened.
The company has scaled back its wider EV rollout, delaying or reducing several electric projects. The 718 rethink is part of that broader recalibration.
The GT4 Problem
There’s also a very Porsche‑specific issue: the GT4 and GT4 RS.
These cars have become modern icons, they are high‑revving, naturally aspirated and unapologetically focused. They’re halo models that do far more for the brand than their sales numbers alone suggest. Dropping them in favour of a silent EV equivalent would have been a hard sell.
So Porsche is reportedly reverse‑engineering the new 718 platform to make sure it can still house a proper combustion engine. That’s no small task. The original EV‑only architecture wasn’t designed for exhaust routing, fuel systems, or the cooling demands of a flat‑six. But Porsche seems determined to make it work.
And thank goodness. A GT4 RS without an engine would be like a 911 without a rear end.
A Pragmatic Move, Not a Retreat
This isn’t Porsche abandoning electrification. The electric 718 is still coming, and the Taycan remains a strong part of the lineup. But the brand appears to be accepting that the transition won’t be as fast or as absolute as once predicted.
For enthusiasts, it’s a rare moment where market reality and passion align. The Cayman and Boxster have always been about balance, feel, and connection. Those qualities don’t disappear in an EV, but they’re harder to achieve when weight and complexity creep in Keeping combustion alive, even in hybrid form gives Porsche room to evolve without losing what makes these cars special.
What It Means for the Future
If Porsche pulls this off, the next 718 could be one of the most flexible sports car platforms ever built. Electric for those who want it. Hybrid for those who want a bridge. And full ICE for the purists. It’s a more complicated strategy, but it’s also a more honest one. Not every driver is ready to plug in, and not every sports car should be forced into silence.
As we patiently await for further news fro Porsche, it's fair to say that the U-turn, alebit drastic, is music to the ears of enthusiasts.