Porsche Boxster And Cayman With Gas Engines Are Not Coming Back After All

Sad trombone: The next-generation 718 models will be only electric.

2018 Porsche 718 Boxster GTS first drive

Adrian Padeanu

By: Adrian Padeanu

Oct 7, at 4:33am ET

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Just over a year ago, Porsche teased the return of the 718 models with gas engines, and now we’re sad to report that the ICE-powered Boxster and Cayman are officially dead for good. The Sportwagenschmiede ’35 strategy detailed today during the 2026 Capital Markets Day focuses only on the electric models, so naturally we had to ask Zuffenhausen about the missing piece of the product puzzle.

In a statement to Motor1, Porsche’s Head of Corporate Communications, Matthias Rauter, clarified that the combustion-engine 718 duo was never actually confirmed for a comeback. Hence, the cars aren’t technically canceled since they weren’t even approved to begin with. Technicalities aside, the hard fact is this: The Boxster and Cayman are not getting their beloved gas engines back.

The previous announcement said the new 718 would offer combustion engines alongside fully electric versions, but with a twist. The ICE was supposed to be reserved for the top versions, leading to speculation that the cars would get a flat-six engine and a price tag above the EVs. Well, it’s not happening anymore. Ok, at that point, Porsche did say “potential midterm drivetrain portfolio in the product roadmap” in one of the slides, so I guess it wasn’t a done deal after all.

2022 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS

2022 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS

Alpine And Caterham Are Following Porsche's Path

That's a shame, because a modern combustion-powered Boxster or Cayman could have been one of the most interesting cars in Porsche's lineup. Replacing the engine with a large battery is a huge philosophical shift for a car built around the joy of driving, and it’ll be interesting to see how many enthusiasts Porsche can convince to make the switch.

Porsche isn’t the only company replacing an ICE sports car with an electric one. Alpine is already teasing the next A110 as a performance EV, while Caterham is also working on its own electric coupe. That puts Porsche alongside two brands known for lightweight, driver-focused sports cars, highlighting just how quickly the segment is changing.

The big question is whether enthusiasts will embrace these EVs or keep mourning the engines they replace. If Porsche, Alpine, and Caterham can prove that an electric sports car can deliver the same sense of occasion as its gasoline-powered predecessor, the transition, largely driven by stricter emissions regulations, might not be quite as painful as it sounds.

Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 E-Performance

Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 E-Performance

The 718 Goes Electric, Other Models Keep The ICE

The plan is for 2028 to be the first full year of production for the electric Boxster and Cayman, which suggests the cars will finally be revealed next year. The 718 EV has been a long time coming, as it was originally announced in early 2022 with plans to have the car on sale around the middle of the decade.

That's not to say Porsche is abandoning combustion power altogether. Quite the opposite, actually. Its new strategy calls for continued investment in combustion engines and plug-in hybrids alongside battery technology. Porsche is also bringing a new combustion and plug-in-hybrid SUV to market to replace the original Macan in 2028. Meanwhile, the 911 remains firmly outside the company's plans for an all-electric transition.

Even better, a Mission S concept will debut on October 15 to preview a future hypercar serving as a halo model positioned above the 911.

2025 Audi Concept C

2025 Audi Concept C

Photo by: Audi

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Audi's Targa Sports Car Will Also Be EV-Only

Much like the next 718 lineup won't have an engine, Audi’s Concept C with a targa top will also be sold strictly as an EV. A year ago, Daniel Schuster, Spokesperson for Technical Development, told us that the electric sports car will not be engineered to accommodate a combustion engine. Also launching in 2027, the two-door roadster from Ingolstadt will sit on a platform “that will be shared within the [Volkswagen] Group,” which suggests it will be connected to the electric 718s to some degree.

Speaking of Audi, the new business strategy outlined today also calls for closer collaboration between the two brands, with Porsche and Audi working more closely on developing both combustion-engine and electric models. Doing so will not only speed up the engineering process but also lower costs without compromising the "unique character of each brand."