Electric 718 Development Continues as Porsche Commits to Electrification Strategy
Porsche CEO Michael Leiters has confirmed that the electric 718 sports car is still in development, with production scheduled for 2027. Leiters stated that the electric 718 is not only an economically viable solution but will also be a "fantastic car," prompting Porsche to proceed with the project despite a global slowdown in electric vehicle market growth and adjustments to electrification strategies by multiple automakers.
The electric 718 will succeed the combustion-powered Boxster and Cayman, which ended production in October 2025, and will become Porsche’s fourth all-electric model, joining the Taycan, Macan Electric, and Cayenne Electric to expand the brand’s electric vehicle lineup. In 2025, Porsche delivered nearly 280,000 vehicles globally, with 22.2% being fully electric and 12.1% plug-in hybrids. In Europe, 57.9% of Porsche’s 2025 deliveries were electrified vehicles, underscoring the brand’s shift toward electrification as a mainstream trend in the region.
Boxster and Cayman Discontinued, Electric 718 to Assume Entry-Level Sports Car Role
The Boxster and Cayman series have long served as Porsche’s entry-level sports cars, attracting new customers with pricing below the flagship 911. Despite their discontinuation in 2025, the models sold 18,612 units, a decline of just 21% from 2024, indicating sustained market demand. Leiters emphasized the electric 718’s critical role in the brand’s future, aiming to continue the 718 series’ legacy as Porsche’s entry-level sports car, though its ability to maintain this positioning will depend on its final pricing.
Porsche has yet to disclose technical specifications such as power and range for the electric 718, but prototypes have been tested on public roads and at the Nürburgring. Based on prototype observations, the electric 718 retains the classic design of the Boxster and Cayman, featuring a low, compact body and a seating position similar to the combustion models. This suggests Porsche is using a new architecture dedicated to electric sports cars, rather than repurposing platforms from the Taycan or Macan Electric. The same architecture will underpin Audi’s upcoming electric sports car, with journalists praising the driving dynamics of Audi’s Concept C prototype, attributing its agility partly to its relatively low weight.
Pricing Remains Key as Electric 718’s Entry-Level Role Hangs in the Balance
While the combustion-powered Boxster and Cayman were not inexpensive, they remained the most affordable options for consumers purchasing a new Porsche sports car. If the electric 718 is priced too high, it may appeal primarily to existing owners as an upgrade rather than attracting new customers as an entry-level model. In 2025, Porsche delivered 16,339 Taycans globally, fewer than the 18,612 Boxster and Cayman units sold, highlighting the need to further develop the electric sports car market.
Leiters noted that the electric 718, alongside Porsche’s three existing all-electric models, will drive the brand’s electric vehicle sales growth in 2026 and 2027. However, Porsche has not disclosed sales targets for the electric 718. Market expectations regarding its pricing and performance will determine whether the model can successfully succeed the Boxster and Cayman as Porsche’s entry-level electric sports car in the electrification era.
