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Porsche Could Be Killing Its Revolutionary Sports Cars Before They Even Arrive

Multiple R&D challenges are really preventing the all-electric 718 from becoming a reality.

Close-up of white Porsche 718 rear with black "PORSCHE" and "718" badges.Porsche
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By Chris Chin

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It appears Porsche’s new revolutionary all-electric 718 Boxster and Cayman sports cars might be dead before arrival. Bloomberg reports the automaker’s new CEO is having second thoughts on the prospects.

After speaking with an unnamed source “familiar with the matter,” word has it that Zuffenhausen’s finest are running into an increasing number of snags. The biggest challenges are rising costs and other R&D delays that are hampering the project’s developmental progress.

Given the trajectory and circumstances at play, this could potentially lead to Porsche pulling the plug on the EV sports cars altogether.

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The odds just keep amounting against them

Blue Porsche coupe and red Porsche convertible sports cars parked on asphalt with mountains in the background.
Porsche discontinued the last 718 Cayman and Boxster in October 2025.
Porsche

Porsche’s growing reluctance towards its electrification isn’t all that surprising. A few months ago, engineers expressed concern over delays, resulting in the team being behind schedule.

Earlier last year, Porsche’s executive team also admitted to pumping the brakes on its aggressive electrification strategy. The slowdown towards electric vehicles is due to the lukewarm market and lack of demand.

Interior view of a Porsche Cayman S with black and light gray leather, digital display, and a scenic mountain background.
WIth the gas-powered 718s cancelled, the move was to make way for its all-electric successors.
Porsche

Around the same time, one of Porsche’s major EV component suppliers, Northvolt, filed for bankruptcy, according to a report from Germany’s Automobilwoche in spring of 2025. And now, it seems delays continue to affect the car’s developmental progress.

Because of these consistent setbacks, Porsche’s new CEO, Dr. Michael Leiters, is apparently expressing hesitation towards the new EV sports cars’ finalization. Leiters replaced Oliver Blume at the turn of the new year.

Gas power will be sticking around

Blue-gray Porsche sports car driving on a desert road with mountains in the background.
Because of multiple complications, the electrified 718s may not even make it to production.
Porsche

Because of the constant issues Porsche’s experiencing with its electric 718 Boxster and Cayman models, the automaker recently pivoted on its plans, confirming that internal combustion power will still be a part of the model’s range.

However, the continued inclusion of gas power only involved the top-spec models, such as the 718 Cayman and Boxster GTS. That meant the 4.0-liter naturally-aspirated flat-six would remain in production, while more basic models stuck with the new electric propulsion systems.

But given the latest update, gas power could remain the standard powertrain for the sports cars altogether.

About the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).

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