After European cybersecurity rules forced Porsche to halt production of the 718 model, expectations for its all-electric successor are growing. Slated for launch in 2025, the emission-free Boxster has been spotted undergoing cold-weather testing in Scandinavia. While some prototypes now feature definitive front and rear lights, the central exhaust tip remains a comical feature reminiscent of similar incidents with Taycan and Macan EV prototypes during testing phases.
In the background of this German humor, attention is drawn to the charging port located centrally on the rear bumper of the future Boxster. Unlike conventional EV charging points located on the side of the car, this design differs from Porsche's previous practice seen on the Taycan and Macan EV. Despite the prototypes' clever camouflage, it looks like the next-generation 718 will likely only feature a single charging port.
Expected to be known internally as the "983", the future 718 may retain the "Boxster" name, although it ditches the boxer engine, following in the Porsche tradition of names like the Taycan Turbo. This continuity reflects Porsche's commitment to maintaining iconic identities in the era of electric cars.
While retaining the fabric roof, two-seat layout and front trunk, the new electric sports car will bring significant changes under the surface. It may include hardware elements of the Premium Platform Electric (PPE), which is a joint development between Porsche and Audi. Variants are expected with rear- and all-wheel drive configurations, and with single and dual engines. The Boxster is expected to debut first, followed by the Cayman coupe.
Porsche's evolutionary design approach is likely to be retained, albeit with an updated interior to address the aging aspects of the current model. Prototypes of the replacement model showcase updated dashboards with larger screens and touch-sensitive buttons for temperature control and seat adjustment.
Although future 718 models will be equipped exclusively with electric powertrains, the current Boxster and Cayman will continue to be offered in other markets. Although they will be phased out in the European Union, these petrol-powered sports cars will coexist with their electric counterparts for a period of time before eventually being phased out. There are similar plans for the old and new Macan models.