Confirming what has become one of the sports-car maker’s worst-kept secrets, new details reveal the Porsche 718 Boxster convertible is poised to adopt electric power with the next-generation model, rumoured for launch in 2024.
The next-generation 2024 Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman are poised to switch to electric power for the next generation model, information uncovered by Drive has revealed.
The publicly-available information indicates the next generation of Porsche’s ‘baby’ 718 sports car – codenamed 983, and rumoured to launch in 2024 or 2025 – will make the switch to all-electric power, becoming the third Porsche model without a petrol or diesel engine.
Porsche documentation posted online refers to certain elements of the new 718 electric sports car being similar to or derived from those in the company’s current Taycan electric sedan, suggesting the two will be closely linked.
However, the electric sedan and electric sports car likely won’t share the same platform, according to a report by Autocar UK.
Respected industry journal Automotive News reported in November that Porsche US dealers have seen both Cayman coupe and Boxster convertible versions of the new 718 – corroborating reports from Car and Driver and Autocar in recent months of a two-model range continuing into the 983 generation.
Information seen by Drive confirms the Boxster body style will carry over into the new electric 983 generation – with the Cayman likely to join it, as per the aforementioned reports.
It’s believed global sales of the 718 Cayman have been similar to that of the Boxster since the current model went on sale in 2016 – with the convertible outselling the coupe prior to that date. In Australia last year, 147 Caymans were reported as sold versus the Boxster’s sales tally of 109.
Reports out of Europe claim the new Porsche 718 range – including Cayman and Boxster body styles – will draw styling inspiration from the Mission R electric racing concept shown last September (pictured below).
While the concept car’s dual electric motors and 82kWh battery were capable of 800kW in ‘qualifying’ mode, the production model is unlikely to be as powerful.
US publication Car and Driver reported that the flagship dual-motor 718s will be the first all-wheel-drive Cayman and Boxsters, with power outputs to “reach well into 911 territory”.
On this basis it appears the Boxster and Cayman may lead Porsche’s electric-car charge into the future, while the 911 will maintain petrol power for as long as possible, likely beyond 2030.
Rear-wheel-drive, single-motor versions of the Boxster and Cayman are expected to be available, and they will be “priced to significantly undercut the 911 and stay within reach of the current 718”.
Car and Driver reports a maximum 400km of driving range will be “the acceptable minimum” – yet engineers are targeting a mass figure of 1655kg for the new electric 718 twins, or approximately 250kg more than a current 718 Boxster GTS 4.0.
The anticipated technical internal link between the Taycan electric sedan and new 718 range could come in the form of related batteries and electric motors.
The Porsche Taycan sedan currently offers a choice of 79.2kWh and 93.4kWh battery packs, with dual-motor set-ups delivering up to 560kW during ‘overboost’.
While the Porsche Taycan stores its batteries under the vehicle’s floor, the new 718 coupe and convertible are rumoured to mount their packs where the 718’s engine is positioned – behind the driver – allowing for a low floor with familiar ‘mid-engined’ chassis balance and driving dynamics.
Speaking to Autocar UK last year, Porsche development boss Michael Steiner said: “It’s the same reason why a lot of super-sports cars today have a mid-engine design, with the engine behind the driver. With today’s battery cell technology, the batteries are the biggest and heaviest part of the car … so we developed what we call the e-core battery design.
“Packaging-wise and centre of gravity-wise, it’s more or less a copy of a mid-engine design.”
Car and Driver says the new 718’s interior will “the brand’s most futuristic yet”, reportedly featuring “forward-looking” styling and a new user interface to appeal to younger Chinese customers.
It’s suggested online that work on this bespoke new cabin began as early as the second half of last decade.
No reveal or launch dates for the new 718 range have been confirmed. However the latest reports – combined with the lack of prototype sightings – suggest the 2024 Porsche 718 Boxster and/or Cayman could go on sale in 2024 or 2025.
When contacted by Drive, a Porsche Cars Australia spokesperson couldn’t comment on the information, and would not “speculate on future products”.
Photo illustration credit: Bernhard Reichel, for Autoevolution.
The post Electric Porsche 718 Boxster confirmed appeared first on Drive.
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