The 718 Goes All-Electric: Porsche Makes It Official at Its October 7 Investor Event

The 718 is going all-electric. That’s Porsche’s decision.

On October 7, Porsche AG held its Capital Markets Day at the Weissach Development Center and unveiled a new strategy, “Sportwagenschmiede ’35,” looking ahead to 2035. According to the official release, the expansion of its product lineup will begin with the all-electric 718 Boxster and Cayman. The 718 was described as “all-electric,” with no mention of a gasoline-powered version.

InsideEVs reported that the announcement put an end not only to the rumors, but also to Porsche’s own earlier statements. The new models are set to debut in 2027, with sales expected to be supported by the first full year of production in 2028. Porsche also outlined plans to cut around 20% of its derivatives and eliminate 9,000 jobs. CEO Michael Leiters has also said, “The 911 will never be electric.” In other words, the 911 stays combustion-powered, while the 718 goes all-in on electric.

Why Did the Plan to Keep Gasoline Power for Higher-End 718 Models Disappear?

Things looked different just a year ago.

Porsche first announced plans to electrify the 718 in 2022. The project faced repeated delays, and production of the current gasoline-powered 718 ended in October 2025. In a product-strategy overhaul announced on September 19, 2025, under then-CEO Oliver Blume, an investor presentation referred to “combustion-engine derivatives at the top end of the new 718 range.” International media interpreted this to mean that high-performance models such as the Spyder RS and GT4 RS would continue with gasoline engines.

Now, that plan has disappeared. Porsche communications chief Matthias Rauter told Motor1 that a return of the gasoline-powered 718 had never been formally approved. Whatever the reason, the gasoline Boxster and Cayman aren’t coming back. So far, Porsche hasn’t offered a clear explanation. In February 2026, Bloomberg reported that CEO Michael Leiters was even considering canceling the electric 718 itself because of development delays and rising costs. This is only speculation, but perhaps Porsche couldn’t afford to pursue both electric and gasoline versions.

The Battery Goes Where the Engine Was: Car and Driver’s Ride in the Prototype

photo by Porsche（via Car and Driver）

So what will the electric 718 be like?

Car and Driver reporter Caleb Miller rode in a prototype at Weissach’s test track and wrote that it felt “surprisingly familiar.” Rather than placing the battery under the floor, Porsche has mounted it just behind the seats, where the engine sits in a gasoline-powered 718, and integrated it into the body structure. Porsche calls this layout “E-Core,” saying it preserves the mid-engine character. The rear axle carries 59.8% of the weight in a gasoline Boxster and 55.2% in the 718 EV.

With no battery under the floor, the seating position stays low. Miller noted that both the low driving position and the car’s overall proportions felt remarkably similar to those of a gasoline Boxster. The rear-wheel-drive prototype turned neatly into corners and stayed flat through them. It will likely be heavier, but he noticed no obvious negative effect on handling, and the suspension remained relatively supple over curbs. The car will also feature an 800-volt system and E-Shift, but Porsche hasn’t announced its output, range, or price.

This is the same “core” layout I wrote about in my December 2024 article, “The Latest on Development of the Next-Generation 718 EV,” based on comments from then-head of R&D Steiner. Both the numbers and the layout suggest Porsche is trying to preserve what makes a 718 feel like a 718.

Even If Porsche Rebuilt It with a Gas Engine, It Wouldn’t Be the Same 718

To be honest, I now support Porsche’s decision to make the 718 electric-only.

With tough new environmental and noise regulations such as Euro 7 coming into effect, any new gasoline engine would likely have to be quiet and restrained. I also expect its engine mapping to feel unnatural at low speeds in the name of fuel economy. If that’s the choice, I’d rather see Porsche build an EV with far greater performance.

What makes a mid-engine car special: the weight distribution, or the sound and lightness of the engine? E-Core appears to preserve the numbers—the 55.2% rear-axle weight distribution and low seating position. As I see it, the sound won’t return with a new gasoline engine built to meet regulations, either. Either way, a new gasoline-powered 718 wouldn’t bring that sound back. So why not choose the EV, with its performance advantage?

In my February 2025 article, “Porsche 718 Cayman EV: The Latest on the Electric Sports Car Expected in 2026,” I wrote, “If the Taycan can deliver that much performance and driving pleasure, a more compact 718 EV should be seriously fun to drive.” My prediction about its launch timing was off, but having experienced the agility of the Taycan Turbo GT hasn’t changed my expectations.

The Spyder RS Won’t Be My Last: I’d Keep the 981 GTS and 987 Spyder

Our 718 Spyder RS

I won’t be parting with my 718 Spyder RS anytime soon.

With its GT3 engine and PCCB brakes, this open-top sports car could be called the pinnacle of the gasoline-powered 718 range. It’s one of my favorite cars and an exceptional machine. Even so, I don’t think it will be the one I keep until the end.

The gasoline Boxster and Cayman models I’d most want to hold on to are the irresistibly engaging 981 Boxster GTS and 987 Boxster Spyder. The six-speed manual 981 GTS and the 987 Spyder with its Sport Exhaust both deliver the sound and lightness of a naturally aspirated engine.

981 Boxster GTS

987 Boxster Spyder

The 718 EV will likely appeal to drivers seeking mid-engine balance, a low seating position, and high performance. If what you want is the sound of a gasoline engine, though, it may be worth experiencing a gasoline-powered 718 while you still can. I hope Porsche builds on the mid-engine character E-Core is designed to preserve—and takes it to the next level with the performance only an EV can deliver.