Porsche 718 sportsters to retain petrol options

Porsche is including a combustion engine option for “top” versions of the new 718 Boxster and Cayman. Previously, the new 718 was to be electric only. The firm has also nixed current development of the large ‘K1’ electric SUV above the Cayenne.

In a ‘strategic realignment’, Porsche also confirms major overhauls for the Cayenne and Panamera combustion engine and plug-in hybrid models. This will keep them viable “well into the 2030s”. So said CEO Oliver Blume during a recent investor call.

Porsche will take a significant financial hit on a decision to halt development of the SSP 61 ‘Sport’ version of the Volkswagen Group platform. It would have underpinned the K1 large SUV along with electric replacements for the Panamera and the Taycan. The SSP Sport platform, derived from the architecture that underpins future Golf and Octavia, is evidently now on the back-burner until “well into the 2030s”.

The K1 model above the Cayenne will launch at some point with combustion-engine and plug-in hybrid variants. But when that might happen is unclear. 

Blume commented: “We have seen a clear drop in demand for exclusive battery-electric cars, and we are taking that into account.”

Porsche has also been hit by a significant dip in demand for luxury goods in China. That’s atop the US decision to increase tariffs on imported cars.

Predicted net profit will take a hit this year, according to Blume, but is likely to return to growth in the ‘medium-term’.

The CEO said the company was still committed to electrification. “They excite a specific and growing customer group,” Blume added.

Porsche is about to launch the new Cayenne Electric based on the Volkswagen Group’s 800V Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture. It had originally intended the electric Macan to be a standalone version. However, it is now adding an equivalent SUV model with combustion engine and plug-in hybrid variants.

It will also have drive biased towards the front wheels because it is based on the third-generation Audi Q5.

No more information was available regarding the ‘top’ versions of the new 718 with the combustion engine. However, that could mean the continuation of the RS and GT4 RS models, with entry versions using the electric drivetrain.