Porsche Isn’t Going All-In On Electrification After All

Zuffenhausen backtracks on its EV offensive by keeping internal combustion around for the 718 Boxster and Cayman.

Rear view of a dark gray Porsche sports car with a raised rear spoiler, dual exhaust pipes, and a visible "RS" emblem on the alloy wheel, parked on a gravel surface with rocky terrain and mountains in the background.

Published 13 minutes ago

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Updated 2 minutes ago

Porsche is reportedly keeping internal combustion power around for its popular 718 Boxster and Cayman sports cars. The latest development represents a major about-face with the automaker backpedaling on its aggressive electrification initiative.

It was just a short time ago that the Zuffenhausen masters announced the end of nearly all of its gas-powered models with hopes of converting to an 80% electrified lineup. The plan was to be one of the first to the punch while spearheading EV innovation.

Green convertible sports car driving quickly on a forest road, with motion blur effect on the surrounding trees and background. — The next-gen 718 Boxster will be offered with either electric or gas power.

The decision to go nearly all-electric caused a huge ruckus among Porsche fans and sports car enthusiasts alike, with many claiming such a shift could spell the end for the brand.

But due to significant changes in demand, hindsight into the electric vehicle market, tariffs and shifts at the regulatory level, Porsche is pumping the brakes on its EV plans.

Gas-powered next-gen 718 Boxster and Cayman will coexist alongside electric models

Top-down view of a red sports car with the driver's side door open. A person's hand, wearing a green sleeve, is visible reaching out from inside the car. The car is parked on a light gray surface. — The 718 is currently powered by a boxer-four or six-cylinder gas engine.

According to Britain’s AutoCar, Porsche is still adamant about electrification. But they’re not eliminating internal combustion options entirely.

“We have seen a clear drop in demand for exclusive battery-electric cars, and we are taking that into account,” Porsche’s CEO, Oliver Blume, reportedly told investors during a conference last week.

Silver Porsche Spyder RS convertible sports car driving on an open road with mountainous terrain in the background under a partly cloudy sky. The car has a rear spoiler, dual exhaust pipes, and a German license plate. — There hasn’t been any word on whether the top-spec models will get gas or electric propulsion.

Rather, similar to other automakers, Porsche will offer both ICE-powered and electric versions of its 718 Boxster and Cayman. Porsche’s also looking into adopting more gas-electric hybrid technology. The idea is to offer buyers a choice rather than forcing them to adapt to a specific powertrain type.

“This flexibility gives us a strong position with a compelling mix of combustion engines, plug-in hybrids, and battery electric vehicles,” Blume continued.

Red sports car driving on a city street with a dark building in the background. The car is sleek and low to the ground, with a visible driver inside. The image captures motion, with the background slightly blurred. — Many still lust after the six-cylinder models for their unique sound and experience.

The decision to continue supporting internal combustion power also comes after huge backlash surfaced against similar plans with the popular Macan and Cayenne crossover SUVs.

Both were destined to transition to an all-electric future. But due to the same circumstances, Porsche reworked their product strategy to continue offering internal combustion-powered versions of their top sellers.

Parent company Volkswagen AG is also cutting its losses, influencing Porsche’s product strategy

Close-up of the front end of a red Porsche sports car, showing the hood with the Porsche emblem, the right headlight, and part of the front bumper and grille. The car's glossy surface reflects nearby buildings. — Porsche fans and buyers are incredibly picky about how their cars are engineered, and rightfully so.

Another major factor playing into Porsche’s decision to keep ICE-tech around comes from up above. Parent company Volkswagen AG initially had grand plans to launch a new electric vehicle platform that would underpin a significant portion of its portfolio.

That modular chassis roots its origins from Volkswagen’s VWG platform, which provided blueprints to new Audi, Volkswagen, and Skoda cars.

Green convertible sports car driving on a forest road with yellow wildflowers in the foreground. — Few things can beat the sound of a Porsche flat-six and a million miles of headroom.

But because of this huge shift, engineers are reworking the platform to offer more flexibility.

Blume noted that it takes Porsche around five years to produce a model from the point of conceptualization. Thanks to its quick actions, the brand was able to pause the research and development in its tracks and allow for the pivot back to ICE-tech.

Originally, Porsche allocated nearly €1.8 billion to develop this new electrified platform, code-named “SSP 61 Sport.”

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