The next-generation Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman will run on electricity only. The black prototype captured in this spy image represents our first look at what the new soft-top Boxster might look like.
If you’re a fan of the current 718 series, good news. Despite discontinuing the internal combustion engine completely, Porsche’s next-generation sports car will retain its mid-engine proportions. It will also draw heavily from the Porsche Mission R Concept for styling, which stands out at the front end where the narrow rectangular headlights will hold the station. The large air intake dominates the lower fascia, although we can see it closed behind the horizontal bars.
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The familiar side intakes in front of the rear wheels are also closed. And if that’s not proof enough to be an EV, the rear fascia seals the deal. The center exhaust outlet is clearly fake, and no other pipes are visible on this prototype.
We’re clearly seeing a very rugged prototype that might even be a test mule sporting a hodgepodge of exterior panels. Even so, Porsche took steps to hide certain body lines, especially around the headlights and fascia. It is possible that this area could receive significant changes before the production model is revealed.
When that happens, we expect to see the EV ride on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture developed with Audi. Porsche has confirmed this, stating that the current 718 platform would require “too many compromises” in the transition to electric power. The all-new model will incorporate a low battery, located between the front and rear axles to maintain mid-engine balance and weight distribution. We expect a single-motor version that will drive the rear wheels, and a first for the Boxster/Cayman, a dual-motor option for all-wheel drive will be offered.
How much power does the electric 718 Boxster have? That’s still unknown, though the Mission R Concept produces no less than 1,073 horsepower (800 kilowatts) with the front and rear motors working together. Such a power will almost certainly not make it to production, but it’s safe to say the new model will be much faster.
Porsche has confirmed the next-generation Boxster and Cayman for 2025. Look forward to their debut sometime in 2023, with production starting in late 2024. In the meantime, check out the Rambling About Cars podcast for EV performance news and more.
