Major Shift in Porsche 718 Electrification Plans

Porsche has announced a significant revision to its next-generation 718 lineup, moving away from its initial plan for full electrification.

Originally declared in 2022 as a complete EV transition for the 718 series, Porsche has now decided to offer both internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric vehicle (EV) models. This decision clearly reflects the broader industry trend of reevaluating electrification timelines and strategies.

There’s no need to rush to buy the current 982-generation Boxster or Cayman as the “last internal combustion models.” The Stuttgart-based sports car maker has shifted its stance and will continue to offer mid-engine layouts paired with flat-six engines going forward.

Cayman (987) and 718 Cayman T

Market Demand Still Strong for Gasoline Engines

Behind this policy reversal lies a clear market voice: buyers of sports cars like Porsche still desire gasoline engines over electric powertrains. Porsche has evidently recognized this demand. Looking around, despite the undeniable appeal of EVs’ instant torque and smoothness, many customers choose internal combustion models simply because they “want an engine car for now,” “want the last six-cylinder,” or “value retention is better.”

This mindset is understandable to some extent.

However, true enthusiasts of engine cars might hesitate to buy modern ICE vehicles. Due to environmental and noise regulations, today’s internal combustion engines have been significantly neutered, losing much of their original character.

Fundamental Issues with Modern Engine Cars

A major concern with recent ICE vehicles is how overly eco-focused their normal driving modes have become. It’s common to experience sluggishness in everyday driving, and pushing the car to be lively often means revving the engine loudly. Many modern cars sacrifice drivability to meet regulations. Given this, my personal hope is that manufacturers stop releasing half-measures like mild hybrids or restricted ICEs and instead fully commit to EVs.

If you truly want to enjoy an engine car, Porsche has a rich history of legendary models renowned for their engine performance and feel. Experiencing those classics offers a far more rewarding encounter than today’s heavily regulated ICE vehicles.

981 Boxster GTS

Is This a Marketing Strategy?

The announcement that the 718 will continue offering gasoline models likely reflects a marketing strategy more than a pure engineering vision.

It raises the question of what Porsche truly wants to build. Their decision aligns with many automakers currently reassessing their product mixes and electrification timelines.

This “strategic realignment” can be seen as a pragmatic move to secure Porsche’s long-term success in a rapidly evolving market. However, as a true engine enthusiast, I believe the purer and more satisfying choice is either to fully embrace EVs or to savor the essence of engines through Porsche’s classic, iconic cars rather than settling for today’s compromised ICEs.

So, what form will the next 718’s ICE models take? And how will the EV versions be received? I’m genuinely excited to find out.