When a company’s chief executive publicly declares that a product will definitely, absolutely, for real be built — that’s not confidence. That’s a press cycle doing overtime. Porsche CEO Michael Leiters recently told the world the electric 718 is still happening, calling it “the best solution economically” and “a fantastic car.” Meanwhile, the gas-powered 718 Boxster and Cayman have already left the building. Orders stopped in some markets in late 2024. Production closed. The replacement hasn’t officially arrived. Someone had to say something.
How a Sure Thing Became a Rumored Casualty
The electric 718’s path to production has been anything but a straight line.
The electric 718’s roadmap reads like a group chat argument that never quite resolved. Porsche reportedly floated EV-only plans, then considered a mixed ICE and electric strategy, then swung back toward full electrification — each pivot landing somewhere between strategic pivot and public confusion. Volkswagen Group cost pressures reportedly forced hard conversations about which projects survived, according to reporting from Electrek and electrive.com. Some planned vehicles were canceled before production or reconsidered entirely. The 718 apparently survived. Not without earning its skeptics, though.
Where Things Stand
- Development status: In testing and development; no official specs, pricing, or production figures released
- Expected timing: A 2026 reveal targeting a 2027 model year is widely reported — though timing remains fluid, per InsideEVs
- Powertrain: All-electric; an 800-volt architecture and roughly 250-plus miles of range are suggested by earlier reporting from CAR Magazine and prototype coverage, both unconfirmed officially
- Competition: Alpine’s electrified A110 and an Audi sports car reportedly sharing a platform are the closest rivals cited, per Motor1
- Pricing: Officially unknown
“With the electric 718, we have come to the conclusion that we will build the model — because it is the best solution economically and will be a fantastic car.” — Michael Leiters, Porsche CEO
Notice that “economically” is doing serious heavy lifting in that sentence. This isn’t a pure passion project. It’s a business calculation that happens to involve a sports car enthusiasts actually care about. A 2026 reveal targeting a 2027 model year is widely expected — but as every outlet covering this story is careful to note, that timing remains fluid. If you’re wondering what other cars coming in the next cycle are worth the wait, the field is crowded.
The Part That Still Needs Answering
The question every 718 owner is actually asking goes beyond specs and architecture.
Whether an all-electric 718 can still make you feel something on a back road at 7 a.m. — that’s the one nobody has officially answered. More details are expected later in 2026. Until then, you’re waiting on a restaurant that keeps insisting it’ll open soon. The menu sounds great. The doors remain closed.
