Porsche is fully committed to its electrification plans even though not everyone is on board
Electrification cannot be stopped. There is no denying that. However one may feel about it, it is simply inevitable at this point. One example is German automaker, Porsche, which took its first step into electrification with the 911 GTS Hybrid last year, but now it’s preparing for a bigger leap.
The next-generation Boxster and Cayman, Porsche’s entry-level sports cars, are now ditching combustion engines entirely in favor of all-electric powertrains. Recent spy shots reveal Cayman prototypes undergoing testing at the Nürburgring, providing our clearest look yet at Porsche’s future EV direction.
Moreover, while the Boxster has been spotted in camouflage multiple times, these latest images give us sharper details on the Cayman. The prototypes wear different wheels and maintain a silhouette remarkably close to the current gas-powered models. True to the spirit of the mid-engine layout, the new Cayman still features a low nose and fastback tail.
Practicality, always a strong point of the 718 series, looks to remain intact with storage front and rear. One prototype caught on track shows a small, active rear spoiler and a centrally mounted charging port on the bumper. The battery, likely utilizing 800-volt architecture, sits vertically behind the seats.
At the front, active cooling slats, similar to those on the 911 GTS Hybrid, are also visible. Design cues like the upswept rear window and hidden lower air intakes echo Porsche’s Mission R concept. When the electric 718s hit the market in 2026 as 2027 models, buyers should have a choice between a single motor RWD version or a dual motor AWD setup.
On yop of that, this marks the first time AWD will be offered in the mid-engine Cayman and Boxster lineup. Though Porsche has slowed its broader EV rollout amid sluggish market growth, the electric 718 models were too far into development to revert to combustion power.
Still, a hybrid or ICE variant may arrive later, following a strategy similar to Fiat’s pivot with the 500e. Despite global 718 sales dipping due to European cybersecurity regulations, U.S. sales almost doubled in early 2025, evidence of lingering demand.
However, Porsche faces the challenge of ensuring the EV Cayman matches or exceeds the handling of its petrol predecessor. Delays to its debut suggest fine-tuning continues, especially with strong competition expected from the upcoming Alpine A110 EV. For Porsche, preserving the soul of the 718 will have to be just as important as electrifying it.
We got all this from Carscoops and their full article is linked here. Thank you Carscoops for the information and images.
