Porsche’s Next Affordable Sports Car Won’t Be Giving Up on Gas Power After All

P-Car fans rejoice. The Porsche 718 Cayman and Boxster are sticking with good ‘ol gas power.

Across the pond, AutoCar got the scoop, confirming that Zuffenhausen is doing a 180-degree pivot from its aggressive electrification strategy.

This comes as major news, following Porsche and its parent company, Volkswagen AG, which have heavily invested in researching and developing electric vehicle technology. The auto conglomerate was prepared to charge forward to an all-electric future, against many fans’ wishes.

But to those same fans’ relief, that’s no longer the case.

Rolling back the charge to EVs

Porsche

It wasn’t too long ago when Porsche ruffled lots of feathers by announcing an all-electric future for the 718 Cayman and Boxster. Many thought that spelled the end for the dynamic duo.

It also raised several questions. For instance, would electrification compromise the car’s handling due to the heavy running gear?

Porsche USA

Another concern was, “Would the 718’s driving experience be compromised by the lack of an inspiring engine and exhaust note?” Both of which are valid concerns, neither of which is exclusive to the 718.

Thankfully, those questions will no longer be of much concern. According to AutoCar, which spoke with sources within Porsche’s Weissach engineering center, because the company is already invested in its new platform, engineers are actually working backwards to accommodate internal combustion engines.

The most radical powertrain turnaround in Porsche history

Porsche isn’t throwing the towel in for electrification completely, however.

In the same interview, the company announced that it would be embarking on a “strategic realignment,” meaning it could follow the “multi-energy” path that other automakers are pursuing.

Porsche USA

But for the company to backtrack on its plans to once again consider ICE power for its cars after pledging an all-electric future is still one of the biggest decision changes in its history.

The change does, however, seriously alter the Porsche PPE Sport platform meant to underpin the all-electric 718. Because engineers designed the platform with a heavy center-mounted battery pack, removing it completely changes the mechanical structure.

Porsche

Moreover, Weissach’s team designed the battery to also act as a method of chassis reinforcement. With a switch to internal combustion, it’s back to the drawing board.

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