It’s official: After rumors that the 718 Boxster and Cayman were about to go EV only, Porsche now confirms it. Both cars will lose their ICE powertrains for at least the start of the next generation due next year. On top of that, the ICE version of the Macan is also going away after 2026. Some of the most attainable Porsche’s on the market will be no more.
Back in June, it started to look as though the 718 siblings were getting axed in combustion form. A reportedly leaked dealer memo said that production would end in October of 2025. Now, it seems clear that the memo was genuine. What wasn’t clear at the time was that the ICE Macan would go off into that good night soon after.
According to Automotive News, Porsche executive board member Albrecht Reimold says it’s gone after 2026. “The platform has reached the end of its cycle,” he said without giving away too many details about future plans. The Macan EV is largely praised for its brisk handling and quick acceleration. All of this says a lot about Porsche’s goals though.
The brand wants to be all-in on EVs and this is one more step toward that. Our own Thomas Hundal covered the wild specs it’s aiming for across three electric SUVs. In addition to the Macan EV the automaker is on schedule for production of a large three-row EV SUV and a Cayenne EV isn’t too far behind. Its carbon-neutral goals seem lofty but would be remarkable if achieved.
Finally, it’s worth noting that the writing has been on the wall for some time before that dealer memo popped up. Porsche has already halted sales of the ICE version of the Macan in Europe due to cybersecurity legislation. The platform didn’t comply with new laws there and instead of updating the platform, Porsche just stopped selling them.
The 718 twins have suffered a similar fate as they too don’t conform. Interestingly, the low-volume versions like the Cayman GT4 RS are still legal though so they remain on sale. In addition, don’t forget that in a way, all of these new EV products continue to allow Porsche to build other wild cars like the 911 Dakar and other future products. Sounds like a worthy tradeoff from here.
So Long
Farewell
Auf Widersein
Adieu!
I understand the purist argument to some degree and like most of you I’ve also lusted after a 911 since first I knew what one was. However I do find it laughable to complain about some mythic lack of performance. Have you driven an EV? Do you really think Porsche is putting out some weak car? My guess is that anyone driving one would be blown away by the overall performance, cornering, throttle response etc. like it or not EVs are the future. Porsche can see that and is investing in building out the technology. If they didn’t it would eventually be back to 90s where they are facing bankruptcy.
Nobody is saying they’ll lack performance, a luxury EV with almost 0 sporting pretensions is faster than the biggest baddest supercars from a generation ago, in a straight line or on track. This is just the truth, and I’m not arguing that EV’s aren’t incredibly fast and can handle incredibly well. However, a 718 isn’t about flat out speed and never was. What makes the 718/Cayman so great is their light weight, their 3 pedals and their overall playful handling characteristics. Some, if not all of that will be lost with the switch to electric. It is the future, but a sad one.
This. ICE cars have a soul, electric cars don’t. I understand that electric cars are the future, and one that makes sense, but it doesn’t mean I’ll ever like it.
Perhaps, Porsche has counted the chicken before they hatched regarding the EV. It ought to continue offer the ICE option as long as they are allowed to be sold.
The EV sales have gone down so much, prompting several manufacturers to divert more money from the EV into the ICE. Mercedes-Benz cancelled the development and engineering programme for the second-generation platform that serves as basis for EQE and EQS. So, do Audi, Cadillac, and others. Ferrari and Lamborghini are still sticking with their V12 engines as long as they are allowed. Bugatti hasn’t reduced the number of cylinders for Tourbillon, its Chiron successor.
As long as the aeroplanes require the petroleum-based fuel, we will still continue to use the petroleum as fuel. So, the investment ought to be more into the synthetic fuels for the aeroplanes (that is unless somebody comes up with magic battery that can last millions of miles on one charge and doesn’t turn supernova when exposed to air).
I got ‘nuthin against EVs, there’re great in their urban environment. But I live in rural western Minnesota right next to the Dakotas, where you can safely run down the battery of an EV 3 times in a day’s 80 MPH cruising, if you could find a place to plug it in… These great roads demand and reward IC power!
Let’s see. A two person sports car with electric drive? That should sell well. Don’t see many ICE versions running around. Not a top money maker but the numbers look Fed friendly. Porsche now, or will soon, have three dedicated electric cars that don’t sell.
The macan, at least, is a suitable choice. Pretty much no one buying one doesn’t have a garage and another vehicle to use for long trips (which they probably fly for anyway). Pretty much no one buying one gives a damn about corner apexes and throttle response, either, as long as the key says Porsche on it
The Subaru coupe should’ve been the 718
I’ve been thinking about electric vs. ICE quite a bit lately. I drive so little, since I work at home and am in a very walkable neighborhood with good transit, I’m thinking that ICE makes much more sense to me than electric, for any new vehicle. I like keeping cars a long long time. If I had a Cayman, which is my goal, I’d keep it until I die (which will be 10 years if I have the same lifespan of my father and grandfather or 30 years if I’m like my longest lived great uncle). The electric batteries will fade over the years. The ICE will not.
“due to cybersecurity legislation”
Wait. Wot?
Huh, apparently that wasnt a typo or mistake. I too initially thought “emissions regulations” was supposed to be there instead, but news about Porsche’s models as they adhere to UN Regulation No. 155 (UN R155) is totally about some type of development path for car models.
I’m not sure if I’m more freaked about some regulatory overreach (not so much as I’m very security focused) or if I’m now concerned about foreign actors tracing my imaginary Porsche when I go to the imaginary brothel. I do seem to get some odd ads these days…
I bet they had a Lightning connector instead of USB-C. Yeah, that’s definitely probably it.
This is lame, and pretty pointless from a carbon emissions standpoint. Porsche sells in relatively low volumes and most of their cars don’t accrue high mileage. Imagine the gas and emissions savings that would be had if HD pickup makers had to abide by MPG standards. Hundreds of thousands of HD pickups getting 25% better fuel economy would do far more for the environment than replacing low volume gas powered sports cars with electric models. Sports cars should be fun and sound amazing. EV only sports cars bore me deeply, with the exception of the Hyundai Ioniq 5N.
Ugh, I agree, but every little bit counts, right? Sort of?
At this point I’d just be happy if people would stop idling in the goddamn fire lanes in front of places. News flash: the parking lot wasn’t meant for everyone except you because you’re special. Go park and turn off your damn car.
I am an EV fan so I like the idea of a nice electric sports car. It sucks the ICE versions of the Boxster and Cayman are going away (I couldn’t care less about the Macan), but at least they are not cancelled entirely or transformed into a yet another soulless compact CUV/SUV (i.e. the Mustang).
We all knew this was coming a while ago but that doesn’t make it sting any less. The Macan and 718 are really the only things carrying the torch for vaguely attainable modern Porsches. Most of us (myself included) aren’t ever going to be able to afford a super desirable 911 at this point, but a certified V6 Macan or base 718 remain tantalizingly within reach.
You can argue with Porsche diehards all day every day about whether or not either is “legit”, but I personally don’t care. A Porsche is a Porsche and for a lot of us owning one has been a goal since childhood. Anyway, it’s a damn shame that the ICE stuff is going to be behind an even bigger paywall then it was…especially considering Porsche literally just brought the V8 back for the Cayenne and Panamera after claiming they’d killed it off.
I’m sure they could have kept one or both of these two cars ICE if they really wanted to, but alas. Now that’s for the six figure cars only. I just hope this doesn’t make values go nuts because as of right now the Macan and 718 actually depreciate a bit. $45-50,000 can get a nice certified example of either…and I’m talking the proper (V6) Macan no less. We shall see how long that lasts…get em while you can.
I’m curious if this will drive the base price of all Porsches up. EVs don’t come in cheap, so if they plan to maintain the margins they have been making, will the cheapest Porsche be quite a bit more expensive as an EV?
They can’t give their electric cars away, even in California. Wait for the fire sale and expect it to weigh about 1k pounds more than comparable ICE.
Zero percent financing to follow soon after everyone who wants one of these things buys one.
Unfortunately not. Porsche doesn’t really do lease/finance specials because they don’t have to. Every single car that hits the lot sells within a few days, and often to a cash buyer. They have no reason to try to cater to us mortals.
There’s a first for everything. They’ve never sold their entry level vehicles without real engines before.
May I direct you to the 912, the 914, and the 924?
Touché! The 3 liter 4 in my 944S2 was interesting, though.
You can keep the 912 off this list. It may not have been a 911, but it had a 356SC engine and handling that was top notch for its time. It was every bit a “real” Porsche engine.
So no more gasoline Porsche’s for the peasants. Only 911 now.
As as happy owner of a ‘22 Boxster, I think the “poor man’s” Porsche is already gone; especially if you want six cylinders.
go look at 987 Prices. Much mid-engined fun with 6 cylinders.
The future is bleak…
I said that when the 911 went to water-cooled. And when they started building SUVs. Now, grandma’s Toyota has more hp—and can turn better—than those early air-cooled 911s. Can’t stop the tide of time: may as well enjoy the ride while we can.
In my old age I’d looked forward to buying and driving a mid engine sports car, looks like it ain’t gonna be a Porsche…
Luckily for you (and me, as I’m about to crest 40), there are plenty of used Caymans out there. Personally, I’ll be looking for a 981 as those are the best looking IMO.
There’s the C8 as well
Exactly. 986 Boxsters are still cheap too.
Not for much longer…the S has gone up a lot, and the bases will follow in short order