Electrifying the Entry-Level Sports Cars
The Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman have long served as the brand’s accessible entry into its sports car family, offering mid-engined balance and a purist driving feel at a price below that of the 911. For many buyers, they represent the first step into Porsche’s world of high-performance two-seaters.
These two models are facing a huge change, though. Porsche is preparing full-electric successors for the 718 line, positioning them as the next chapter for its lightweight, driver-focused roadsters and coupes. The company maintains it is confident in that direction, even as market conditions shift.
Kyle Edward
“It’s Not Really The Wrong Decision”
According to a report from Australia’s Carsales, Porsche is standing by the plan to launch all-electric replacements for the Boxster and Cayman. Frank Moser, vice president in charge of the 911 and 718 product lines, emphasized that the development of the EV versions is well underway.
“We are working on the EV and believe me it is going to be a very great car,” Moser said at the Munich motor show. “We decided to go the electric way on the 718 and there we are working on it and I think it’s not really the wrong decision. You could be aware this car is going to be really, really brilliant because it’s light, powerful and that’s a combination for a two-door sports car, believe me.”
While Porsche is focusing on the upcoming EV, Carsales has cited insider sources who have acknowledged the company is still considering a combustion-engine alternative but has yet to make any final call.
The possibility of retaining a gasoline-powered option follows Porsche’s recent move to offer both electric and internal-combustion versions of the next-generation Macan SUV, with the petrol model expected as early as 2028. A similar strategy could emerge for the Boxster and Cayman, though the automaker has yet to confirm so at this point.
The Audi Connection
Any decision would also ripple across the wider Volkswagen Group. Audi plans to launch a production version of its all-electric Concept C convertible in 2027 using the same PPE architecture that will underpin the electric 718 models. Audi CEO Gernot Döllner has confirmed that the Concept C will be exclusively electric, though he hinted that hybrids could be introduced in other sports-car segments.
For now, Porsche continues to develop the next-generation Boxster and Cayman as pure EVs, positioning them as the brand’s showcase for lightweight performance in an electric era, while leaving a narrow window open for a future powered by combustion.
Audi
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