Porsche Changes Plans: 718 Will Not Go Electric

Porsche has reversed course after announcing that the next generations of the Porsche 718 Cayman and Boxster would be exclusively electric. Electrification doesn’t seem to convince the wider public, leading the Stuttgart-based manufacturer to avoid taking unnecessary risks in order to stay competitive in the market. The announcement of a fully electric lineup, made a few months ago, had already stirred discontent among enthusiasts. Now, according to statements from CEO Oliver Blume, the company has introduced what he calls a strategic realignment. So, what engines can we expect to see in the future Cayman and Boxster?

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The upcoming Boxster and Cayman models are almost certain to feature the six-cylinder engine from the 911. The “top” versions are expected to set a new benchmark in their class. The most powerful variants will once again reach close to 500 horsepower, not in silent mode this time, but with that sharp, unmistakable sound that has always defined Porsche’s identity.
At the same time, the brand is said to have scrapped its plans for the large electric SUV known as the K1. Extended the life of the combustion-powered Cayenne and Panamera well beyond 2030.

Porsche 718 drops the 2.0 turbo engine

The Porsche 718 will no longer feature the 2.0 turbo engine, as it fails to meet the upcoming Euro 7 emissions regulations that will take effect at the end of 2026. As a result, the lineup is set for a performance realignment. The 718 will now deliver power levels nearly on par with the 911, thanks to the adoption of the 3.0 T-Hybrid engine already used in the latest model.

Alongside these new variants, designed to please a large portion of Porsche enthusiasts, the company has also postponed the project that was meant to become its new flagship: the fully electric K1 SUV.
The K1 flagship will now be launched only with combustion and plug-in hybrid powertrains, dropping the previously planned full-electric configuration. No new launch date has been confirmed yet. The project, first announced in 2022, was originally expected to arrive between 2027 and 2028.

Stuttgart Still believes in electric power

Despite slowing down its electrification roadmap, Porsche remains confident in the future of battery-powered mobility and has no intention of halting development in this still-uncertain segment. CEO Oliver Blume reaffirmed that electrification continues to be a key pillar of the company’s long-term strategy. Emphasizing that electric models “continue to captivate a specific and steadily growing group of customers.”
This transition phase, however, is expected to impact the brand’s financial performance. Net profit margins are forecast to fall to around 2% this year, but Porsche anticipates a return to growth in the medium term, aiming to push margins back above 10% with the arrival of its new models.