Latest news with #Zuffenhausen
The Sun
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Porsche discontinues two iconic models and replaces them both with EVs
PORSCHE has confirmed it will axe two of its most iconic sports cars—the petrol-powered 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman—by the end of this year, paving the way for fully electric replacements. The announcement marks a significant shift in the brand's strategy as it leans further into electric mobility. 4 4 The news was first revealed in Germany by Porsche production boss Albrecht Reimold in Automobilwoche and later confirmed by the company to Car and Driver. Production of the mid-engine 718 twins will end in October 2025 at Porsche's facilities in Zuffenhausen and Osnabrück. The move follows the earlier discontinuation of the models in Europe due to new cybersecurity laws. According to Porsche, the decision isn't about poor sales. In fact, 2024 saw a 15 percent increase in deliveries, with 23,670 units sold. However, limited parts availability and the push for electrification have forced Porsche's hand. 'We are now focused on the next chapter,' said a spokesperson. Special editions like the Cayman GT4 RS and Boxster RS Spyder will also bow out, despite previous exemptions from EU regulations. Replacing these fan favourites will be fully electric versions of both the Cayman and Boxster. While details remain scarce, Reimold assured enthusiasts that the electric successors will maintain the fun-to-drive character. 'I've driven it,' he said. 'The driving experience will still be 100 percent 718.' Porsche CEO Oliver Blume added during the brand's recent annual meeting that the new EVs will be 'even more dynamic, even more powerful.' However, fans will have to wait a bit longer for the new generation. The EV 718s won't launch until the 'medium term', with development still ongoing. In the meantime, Porsche is urging customers to snap up the remaining petrol-powered models while they still can. 'This may well be your last chance,' warned Car and Driver, which was among the first to report the change for global markets. The shift has been in motion since the start of 2024, when the 718 was pulled from European markets in response to stricter cybersecurity legislation. The regulations effectively ended sales of the internal-combustion Boxster and Cayman, along with the petrol-powered Macan, across the EU. The U.S. and other regions were granted a temporary reprieve, but that window will now close in October. While the 718's days are numbered, Porsche's broader EV strategy is still in flux. CEO Oliver Blume admitted during this week's shareholder meeting that the company's previous target—having electric cars make up 80 percent of sales by 2030—is now unlikely to be met. Despite this, Porsche says the electric lineup 'will continue to grow as planned,' including a large three-row SUV still in development. Interestingly, Porsche is also keeping its options open when it comes to future powertrains. The company has hinted it may reintroduce combustion engines or hybrids into models originally intended to be electric-only. Last November, then-CFO Lutz Meschke said Porsche was 'looking at the possibility' of combining hybrid or petrol power with upcoming EVs—a sign the brand isn't closing the door on internal combustion just yet. As Porsche moves into this new chapter, the retirement of the 718 range is more than just the end of two cars,it's the end of an era. Since their debut, the Boxster and Cayman have become icons in their own right, offering affordable performance and precise handling. Whether the electric versions can match that legacy remains to be seen. The Sun has approached Porsche for comment.
Motor 1
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Game Over: Porsche Is Ending Gas Boxster and Cayman Production
We knew this day would come, so don't be too sad that Porsche is about to pull the plug on its gas-fueled 718 duo. The current-generation Boxster and Cayman have been on their deathbeds since last year, when the sports cars were retired from Europe due to stricter cybersecurity regulations. Motor1 has now learned that the rest of the world will also lose Zuffenhausen's entry-level performance machines later this year. Porsche Cars North America's head of Product Communications, Frank Wiesmann, told us that the fourth-generation Boxster and Cayman (982 series) have entered their final months of production. The last units are scheduled to be built in October. While the main Zuffenhausen plant has been assembling the cars since 2016, some production was moved in 2022 to Osnabrück, where Volkswagen will continue building the oddball T-Roc Convertible until 2027. 2024 marked the final full year of production for the mid-engine coupe and convertible, with sales rising 15 percent to 23,670 units. In the first quarter of 2025, shipments fell 22 percent to 4,498 vehicles, unsurprising given the 718's discontinuation in the European Union and other markets following EU legislation. It's worth noting that the Boxster RS Spyder and Cayman GT4 RS continued in those regions, as the special editions were exempt from the rules due to their limited production runs. Although discontinued models are almost always replaced quickly by next-generation versions or different vehicles, Porsche is taking time with the 718's (indirect) successor. The fully electric Boxster and Cayman are still being developed, so the EVs won't launch this year. During the Annual General Meeting yesterday, CEO Oliver Blume said that the silent sports cars will arrive in the 'medium term.' He added that both will be 'even more dynamic, even more powerful, with a pure driving experience.' Porsche has admitted its previous goal of having EVs account for 80 percent of annual sales by 2030 is no longer feasible. Even so, that doesn't change the fact that the ICE Boxster and Cayman are being phased out. However, Zuffenhausen is applying a different strategy to the rest of its lineup. The Cayenne will coexist with the upcoming EV variant well into the 2030s. The Panamera will also retain its gas engines into the next decade. The twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 is being reengineered to comply with Euro 7 regulations and will continue into the 2030s . The first-generation Macan will be retired in 2026, leaving only the electric second-generation model on sale. It died last year in the EU for the same reason Porsche was forced to pull the plug on the 718s. However, Porsche is exploring a new gas-powered crossover to replace the original Macan, launched 11 years ago. If approved, the unnamed model would arrive near the end of the decade with pure ICE and hybrid powertrains. Additionally, Porsche is even considering adding combustion engines to vehicles initially intended to be fully electric. Last November, the company's former Chief Financial Officer, Lutz Meschke, mentioned that surprising possibility : 'We are currently looking at the possibility of the originally planned all-electric vehicles having a hybrid drive or a combustion engine.' During this week's meeting, Blume also mentioned that the electric lineup 'will continue to grow as planned.' His statement indicates that the large, three-row SUV first announced a few years ago is still in development, despite EV sales falling short of Porsche's earlier projections. Catch Up With Porsche: Porsche Is Still Testing the Electric Cayman and Boxster Porsche Could Quit EVs In China Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Auto Car
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Car
Porsche 911 GT2 RS poised for searing 750bhp comeback
Screaming flat six receives a hybrid boost as hottest 911 chases Nürburgring supremacy Open gallery Close Porsche is gearing up to launch what insiders at its Zuffenhausen headquarters in Germany describe as the most extreme and technically advanced 911 yet: the fifth-generation GT2 RS. Set to go on sale in the UK in 2026, the new range-topping 911 is being developed to stretch the limits of what's possible in a road-legal Porsche, with a heavily re-engineered, twin-turbocharged version of the company's signature flat-six petrol engine paired with an electric motor in a hybrid system derived from the new 911 GTS T-Hybrid. One important goal of the hottest 911 is to restore Porsche's supremacy at the Nürburgring, where prototypes are now lapping in anger as a full unveiling approaches. New spy shots confirm the forthcoming 911 GT2 RS will be as visually aggressive as it is technically ambitious. Except for the doors, every body panel is unique to the car. Up front, a new bumper and clamshell-style bonnet incorporate additional air ducts to improve cooling for the front-mounted radiators and reduce turbulence within the front wheel arches. Those wheel arches are significantly wider than on other 911s, housing broader tracks front and rear and lightweight centre-lock wheels. At the back, a massive fixed wing dominates but a largely hidden exhaust system is also visible. Patent filings suggest Porsche has developed a new exhaust set-up for performance versions of the 911 that doubles as an aerodynamic device, combining the rear silencer and diffuser into a single integrated unit. Whether it makes it into the production on the 911 GT2 remains to be seen. Inside, the new 911 GT2 is expected to adopt a fully digital instrument panel for the first time while still offering a high degree of personalisation for track-focused buyers. Lightweight materials, limited sound insulation, minimalist trim and an optional roll cage will keep the focus on performance. According to Autocar sources, early prototype versions of the 911 GT2 RS's engine achieved four-figure outputs on the test bench – albeit in development trim. The strongest indication of Porsche's hybrid direction comes from the new 911 GTS T-Hybrid, which combines a 3.6-litre flat six with a single electric turbocharger and a gearbox-mounted electric motor for a total of 534bhp. That car effectively previews the hybrid technology that will be deployed across the facelifted 992-series 911 line-up, including the upcoming 911 Turbo and 911 Turbo S. The 911 GT2 and even more extreme 911 GT2 RS will use a similar formula, but with an even greater output. The exact capacity of the 911 GT2 RS's engine remains under wraps, though it is claimed to be paired with a hybrid system incorporating two electric turbochargers and a higher-output electric motor than that used by the 911 GTS T-Hybrid. Power output is expected to reach at least 750bhp, potentially more, depending on weight, cooling and thermal efficiency. Torque, meanwhile, looks set to exceed the 590lb ft of the latest 911 Turbo S. For comparison, the previous-generation 991-series 911 GT2 RS developed 690bhp and 553lb ft from its twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre flat-six engine. The switch to petrol-electric hybrid power promises to increase weight beyond the previous 911 GT2 RS's 1470kg. The 911 GTS T-Hybrid adds around 60kg and the new 911 GT2 RS is likely to carry more still, despite forgoing plug-in charging hardware. As with its predecessor, though, buyers are expected to be offered a Weissach performance package with Perspex windows, reduced sound insulation and other lightweight measures. As tradition dictates, production will be limited, and Porsche has already confirmed that 'low-volume, high-emotion derivatives' will continue to play a central role in the 911 line-up. Pricing is expected to exceed that of the outgoing model – which started at around £200,000 – with optional performance features such as the Weissach package pushing it even higher. No 911 GT2 RS launch would be complete without Nürburgring ambitions. The previous generation, fettled by Manthey Racing, posted an official 6min 43sec lap time. The current Nürburgring production car record, however, is held by the Mercedes-AMG One with a time of 6min 23sec. Join our WhatsApp community and be the first to read about the latest news and reviews wowing the car world. Our community is the best, easiest and most direct place to tap into the minds of Autocar, and if you join you'll also be treated to unique WhatsApp content. You can leave at any time after joining - check our full privacy policy here. Next Prev In partnership with
Motor 1
12-05-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Is Porsche Delaying The Electric 718 and Three-Row SUV?
Porsche once dreamt EVs would make up over 80 percent of its annual sales by the end of the decade, a goal reaffirmed most recently in March 2024. However, that target is now looking increasingly unrealistic. Zuffenhausen has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to internal combustion by launching a first-gen Macan replacement with a gasoline engine in a few years. Additionally, the Panamera and Cayenne will keep ICE well into the 2030s. According to a new report from Automobilwoche (subscription required), Porsche may have hit pause on a couple of key EV projects. The electric 718 and a new three-row SUV have reportedly been delayed, not only due to weaker-than-expected demand for EVs, but also because of the bankruptcy of battery supplier Northvolt. The setback allegedly affects the launch of the electric Boxster/Cayman duo and the flagship SUV planned to slot above the Cayenne. In Porsche's defense, it never provided a firm date for the next-gen 718's arrival. When we spoke with spokesperson Stefan Mayr-Uhlmann in March, he indicated the EV sports cars were due 'mid-decade.' He also noted the electric Boxster/Cayman would launch after the Cayenne EV. The 718 EV was supposed to come out first, but that order has since been reversed. The electric SUV is now scheduled to debut later this year . Still, Automobilwoche's suggested 2027 release date for the electric 718 would be significantly later than 'mid-decade.' In the meantime, it's already been nearly a year since Porsche pulled the plug on the gas-powered Boxster and Cayman in European markets due to new cybersecurity regulations. Limited-run versions like the Cayman GT4 RS and Boxster RS Spyder are exempt . Production of the current-generation 718 models is set to end later this year, as confirmed by Porsche's production boss Albrecht Reimold in a July 2024 interview with Automobilwoche . If the timeline holds, Porsche will be without a Boxster or Cayman in its portfolio for roughly two years. Three-row Porsche electric SUV rendering by Motor1 As for the large SUV, Porsche first teased the project three years ago during a press conference. Codenamed 'K1,' the new model will ride on the Scalable Systems Platform (SSP) Sport platform developed in-house. CEO Oliver Blume has described the upcoming flagship as delivering 'strong performance,' featuring 'automated driving functions,' and a 'completely new experience' inside the cabin. B ut Automobilwoche now reports that the K1 won't launch until the end of the decade. We reckon it's likely one of the models Porsche originally envisioned strictly as an EV, but may now be reconsidering for a hybrid or ICE setup . Last November, then-CFO Lutz Meschke hinted at this shift in direction: 'We are currently looking at the possibility of the originally planned all-electric vehicles having a hybrid drive or a combustion engine. We are currently in the middle of making conceptual decisions. What is clear is that we are sticking with the combustion engine for much longer.' Meanwhile, Porsche recently walked back its plans to ramp up battery production at wholly owned Cellforce subsidiary, citing the 'slower ramp-up of electromobility.' However, the company did acquire V4Drive GmbH from Varta earlier this year. Their cylindrical cells are already being used in the new 911 GTS, and additional models are expected to follow. There's speculation that the next GT2 RS will also feature some level of electrification. Even so, Porsche has firmly stated that a fully electric 911 won't arrive before 2030. Who would want one anyway? We might as well be asking the same question for the 718. Porsche's Future EVs: Porsche Is Still Testing the Electric Cayman and Boxster Porsche Flagship EV Will Have All-New Interior And Automated Driving Functions Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Source: Automobilewoche (subscription required) Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Motor 1
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Porsche Is Still Testing the Electric Cayman and Boxster
Porsche has come to grips with the reality that EVs won't take over as quickly as it had projected. As a result, it has decided to keep V-8 engines well into the 2030s and is even considering a new gasoline crossover to replace the first-generation Macan. For now, an electric 911 remains off the table, and the Panamera will retain its internal combustion engine setup into the next decade. However, the 718 models are going electric, and only electric. Following the launch of the Cayenne EV later this year, replacements for the Boxster and Cayman are expected to arrive in 2026. It's unclear whether both will debut simultaneously; the convertible could be introduced first. Meanwhile, the next-gen sports car duo has been spotted at the Nürburgring, sporting Porsche's usual deceptive camouflage. The hilariously fake exhaust seen on earlier prototypes is now gone. We're not expecting major styling changes beyond what Porsche's current design language dictates. The Cayman appears to resemble a smaller Taycan coupe, though it could easily be mistaken for a downsized 911. Of course, the body-colored camouflage hides the true design, so it's best not to judge appearances just yet. Zuffenhausen has been tight-lipped about the cars, aside from confirming they'll ride on a dedicated electric platform. At the end of last year, Automobilwoche , the German arm of Automotive News Europe , reported the EVs were 'well behind schedule' due to battery-related issues requiring 'constant adjustments.' Porsche hasn't confirmed this, so the report should be taken with a grain of salt. While the electric Cayenne arriving later this year will coexist with the gasoline version for several more years, the current Boxster and Cayman will be retired to make room for the EVs. That's a bold move, especially considering 718 sales rose by 15 percent in 2024, reaching 23,670 units. This surge came despite the models being pulled from the EU market in July due to non-compliance with stricter cybersecurity regulations . Photo by: Motor1 Porsche Cayman EV rendering Porsche has been testing the electric 718 in public since 2022, and there's reason to believe it won't be a heavyweight. The Mission R concept, loosely based on a Cayman, tipped the scales at 3,306 pounds (1,500 kilograms), though that was a stripped-down race car. Whether a relatively lightweight electric sports car can win over EV skeptics remains to be seen. If only one car company can do it, it's definitely Porsche. The new electric Macan is off to a strong start, but crossover buyers are generally more open to EVs. On the other hand, sports car enthusiasts tend to prefer the thrill of a high-revving flat-six behind them. It's hard to imagine the EVs attracting the typical 718 customer. Pricing will also be a concern, as the new Boxster and Cayman will likely cost more than the outgoing versions, which already start at over $70,000. Keep Up With Porsche: Porsche Could Quit EVs In China The Porsche Panamera Will Have Gas Engines For a Long Time Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Source: Carspotter Jeroen / YouTube Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
