Porsche confirms electric 718 successor is going ahead

After months of speculation, Porsche has confirmed that the electric successor to the 718 is still moving forward. The assurance came from Michael Leiters, the brand’s Chief Executive, in an interview with the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, putting an end to rumours that even hinted the project might be cancelled.

Production of the petrol-powered 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman ended in 2025. The original intention was to replace them with a new, all-electric generation, but development delays and supply-chain difficulties cast doubt over whether the plan would remain viable.

“It will be a fantastic car”

At a time when several manufacturers are reassessing - or even pausing - their electrification strategies, Porsche insists it will proceed with the electric 718 successor. The aim appears unchanged: to bring new customers into the brand, a role the Boxster and Cayman have played ever since they first arrived.

“With the electric 718, we concluded that we will build the model, because it is the best solution from an economic point of view and it will be a fantastic car”.

Michael Leiters, Porsche Chief Executive

Right now, Porsche’s electric line-up includes three models: Taycan, Macan Electric and the recently unveiled Cayenne Electric. Once the new 718 arrives, the marque will have four fully electric models.

In 2025, Porsche delivered around 280,000 cars worldwide. Of those, 22.2% were fully electric and a further 12.1% were plug-in hybrids. Last year also brought another milestone: for the first time, Porsche sold more electrified vehicles than combustion-only models in Europe.

What do we already know?

Porsche still has not published official figures for power, range or technical specifications for the new electric Porsche 718. Even so, a few key details about its architecture are already known.

The car will use the PPE Sport platform, developed jointly with Audi, which will also underpin the production version of the Concept C.

One of the biggest departures from Porsche’s existing electric models concerns battery placement. Rather than sitting in the floor of the platform beneath the occupants, in the electric Cayman and Boxster it will be positioned behind them, between the cabin and the rear axle - mirroring the mid-rear layout used by the combustion-engined 718.

The main benefit of this approach is that it helps retain a lower seating position and a weight distribution similar to the petrol models - two traits regarded as crucial for preserving the dynamic character that defines the 718.

When will it arrive?

Originally expected in 2026, repeated delays have pushed the electric 718’s launch into next year.

It also remains unclear whether the new model will be electric-only or whether, as some rumours suggest, the PPE Sport platform could be adapted to accommodate combustion engines.