Electric Porsche 718 sheds its camouflage
The upcoming Porsche 718 EV has once again appeared on a racetrack. This time, the open-top Boxster wore only minimal camouflage and already looked remarkably close to production. Its proportions, lights and body surfaces appear to have been largely finalized.
This also provides a clearer visual indication of what Porsche has already confirmed in principle: the 718 model line has an electric future. Following delays, production is currently expected to begin in 2027, although there is still no confirmed date for the opening of orders or first deliveries. We have summarized all previous information about the timeline for the electric Porsche 718.
The almost undisguised prototype points to an advanced stage of development, but it does not guarantee that the market launch is imminent.
Boxster and Cayman switch entirely to electric power
The previous combustion-engine 718 generation has been discontinued. Its two variants, the Boxster and Cayman, follow a compact two-seater concept in which the engine was positioned behind the seats. Porsche aims to preserve as much of this balanced mid-engine character as possible in the electric successor.
Although an electric motor does not require a conventional engine compartment, a battery spread flat across the entire underbody would not necessarily be ideal for a low-slung sports car. A substantial part of the battery is therefore expected to be positioned behind the seats. This layout could keep the seating position low and concentrate more of the vehicle’s mass near its center.
That would be crucial for the handling: shorter distances between the heavy components and the vehicle’s center → more agile changes of direction and weight distribution that builds on the familiar 718 concept. Porsche has not yet officially confirmed whether it will also use battery modules in the underbody or transmission-tunnel area.
Dedicated sports-car solution instead of a conventional platform
Technically, Porsche is likely to use components derived from the Premium Platform Electric, or PPE, a shared electric vehicle architecture. However, using an unmodified SUV platform for a low-slung two-seater is difficult to imagine. A heavily adapted architecture combining electric components with a bespoke battery housing and a seating position suitable for a sports car appears more likely.
The PPE platform fundamentally supports modern 800-volt technology. The 718’s actual charging power, battery capacity and range remain unknown. Porsche is likely to prioritize low weight, consistent performance and short charging stops rather than pursuing a range record.
| Area | Current status |
|---|---|
| Body | Boxster prototype almost undisguised and close to production |
| Powertrain | Fully electric; exact variants not yet confirmed |
| Battery | Expected to be positioned partly behind the seats |
| Architecture | Adapted electric platform likely |
| Production | Currently scheduled to begin in 2027 |
| Market launch | No confirmed date yet |
Porsche must balance driving feel and weight
The greatest challenge is not outright motor power. Electric motors can easily deliver rapid acceleration, but the Boxster and Cayman are equally defined by feedback, balance and compact dimensions. An overly heavy vehicle would dilute this character despite its high performance.
With the Porsche Taycan, Porsche already has extensive experience in high-performance electric powertrains, thermal management and repeatable performance. In the 718, this technology must now fit into a significantly more compact package. That at least partly explains why its development is more demanding than that of another electric SUV.
New competition is also emerging from China
While Porsche continues development, the range of electric sports cars is growing. The BYD Denza Z in particular is targeting a similar segment with high performance and both open-top and closed-body versions. Whether it will actually become a direct rival in Germany, Austria or Switzerland will depend heavily on its launch date, price and service network.
For Porsche, this means that more than the specifications matter. An electric 718 must feel agile, deliver repeatable performance on the racetrack and still offer reasonable charging times in everyday use. The almost undisguised Boxster shows that the project is well advanced, but Porsche continues to withhold the crucial technical specifications.
