Porsche May Cancel 718 Boxster and Cayman Electric Plans

Porsche is navigating troubled waters with its forthcoming electric 718 Boxster and Cayman models. According to multiple convergent sources, the German manufacturer could outright cancel the electric versions of its sports cars, originally meant to replace the current combustion-engine models. A consequential decision stemming from explosive development costs and the collapse of Northvolt, the intended battery supplier.

"The brand might ultimately prefer to offer only combustion-engine versions of these two models" — Bloomberg

Secret Meetings to Seal the Fate

According to The Drive, confidential meetings are currently taking place across Europe to determine the destiny of the electric 718s. New chief executive Michael Leiters, who arrived on January 1st to replace Oliver Blume, must decide in the face of "development delays and mounting costs." The situation is all the more critical since the current combustion models have already ceased production.

Originally, Porsche envisioned the next generation as 100% electric. An ambitious technological wager for sports cars that were to weigh less than 1,800 kilograms—a formidable challenge with heavy batteries. The manufacturer had even developed simulated gears to mimic a traditional transmission, drawing inspiration from the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N system.

Northvolt's Collapse Reshuffles the Deck

The implosion of Northvolt, the Swedish supplier contracted to produce the 718 batteries, has forced Porsche to completely redraw its plans. This collapse arrives at the worst possible moment, as demand for electric vehicles has stalled more than anticipated. The lukewarm reception of the electric Macan, despite its strategic importance, has dampened Stuttgart's enthusiasm.

The numbers speak volumes: Porsche's Chinese sales plunged 26% in 2025. A blow to a premium brand heavily reliant on that market. In this context, launching an expensive-to-develop electric sports car that may prove difficult to sell becomes an exceedingly risky gamble.

What About the Audi TT Electric?

This wavering could reverberate at Audi. The four-ring brand is preparing the return of the TT in electric form, built on the Concept C platform, sharing architecture with the future Porsches. Should Stuttgart abandon its electric 718s, Audi would bear all development expenses alone.

When questioned by Motor1, an Audi spokesperson dismissed these rumors as "pure speculation" and confirmed the project is "proceeding as planned." Daniel Schuster declined to elaborate, yet tensions remain evident. Developing a platform for low volumes becomes economically precarious without cost-sharing.

What Would the Project Cost?

The sums involved remain confidential, but developing a dedicated electric platform for sports cars represents an investment of several hundred million euros. Without pooling resources with Audi, Porsche must recalibrate. Handelsblatt alludes to "an economic equation that would no longer hold."

The fallback option? Offering only combustion versions of the forthcoming 718s. A return to form that would delight purists, yet it raises questions about Porsche's long-term electrification strategy.

The Combustion Alternative Gains Ground

Faced with these headwinds, the combustion option is gaining traction. The current 718s, particularly the GTS versions with naturally-aspirated engines, are already becoming collector's items. Their valuations continue climbing, anticipating an eventual permanent disappearance of gasoline engines.

This situation illustrates the difficulties of electrifying sports cars. Unlike SUVs such as the Macan, where electrification delivers instant torque and performance, coupes and convertibles must contend with batteries that substantially increase curb weight. A technical challenge that Porsche apparently struggles to overcome within the projected budget envelope.

The final decision should arrive within weeks. In the meantime, 718 enthusiasts can still turn to the secondhand market, with examples available from £25,000 onwards.