Porsche promises: Electric Boxster and Cayman will be real sports cars

With a battery placed behind the seats, a low centre of gravity and all the experience gained in Formula E, there's plenty of fun to be had from 2025 onwards.

Porsche Mission X Concept

Photo by: Porsche

By: Francesco Barontini

Published by: Brian Potter

Dec 4, 2024 at 7:12am ET

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The market is not in the best of shape, but Porsche is continuing to bet on electric cars. After the Taycan and the very fresh Macan, the brand is preparing the debut of the replacements for the Boxster and Cayman, which will be exclusively battery-electric with the new generation.

A major change for two models born with the sole aim of enhancing driving pleasure. In this respect, the engineers at Zuffenhausen are keen to reassure fans of the brand: these will be genuine sports cars, with a racing DNA, exploiting the experience gained in Formula E.

No turning back on electric cars

Admittedly, the target of 80% electric sales by 2030 has been revised downwards, but this does not mean that the commitment to the transition has been cancelled. Especially since, for Porsche, marketing a car that does not fully meet customer expectations can be very risky.

Live photos of Porsche Mission R from IAA 2021

The new electric Boxster and Cayman have been anticipated by Mission R in 2021

Lutz Meschke, head of the company's finance division, was clear: "In terms of extending production of combustion and hybrid cars beyond the plans announced in the past, the next Boxster and Cayman electric models are expected to go on sale in the course of next year. There is no turning back.

Michael Steiner, head of the company's research and development centre, also said that considerable efforts had been made to manufacture lightweight, high-performance electric cars. The aim is to offer the market two cars that are both efficient and exciting.

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Sportiness without compromise

Both cars are based on Porsche's SSP Sport platform (that of the Taycan), which has been modified to reinforce the character of the new compact sports cars. For example, it has a battery positioned behind the driver to allow a lower driving position and a weight distribution closer to that of the current Boxster and Cayman.

Photo - Porsche Mission X Concept

Porsche Mission X Concept

Photos of: Porsche

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The engineers have also worked hard on the software to optimise the engine's power curve and braking management. It is precisely on this aspect that the information accumulated during the Formula E adventure (a championship that Porsche won with driver Pascal Wehrlein) has been very useful.