With Porsche halting production of the 718 in Europe due to cybersecurity regulations, an electric successor is not far off. Ahead of its 2025 launch, the Boxster EV has been spotted testing in cold weather in Scandinavia. Some of these prototypes now have the latest headlights and taillights, but that central exhaust tip is clearly fake.
This is a common joke with Porsche; both Taycan prototypes had fake exhaust tips before they were unveiled. Additionally, the Macan EV was also spotted with fake exhaust tips during testing. We wouldn’t be surprised if the already-confirmed three-row electric SUV and the Cayenne EV adopt similar setups once testing begins.
However, we can’t help but notice the large charging port door in the center of the rear bumper. Electric vehicle owners usually charge their batteries from one side of the car, but that won’t be the case with the upcoming Boxster. It’s also different from what Porsche uses considering the Taycan has two charging ports on the front fenders while the Macan has a pair of charging ports on the rear fenders. We can’t tell because the prototype is still cleverly disguised, but it seems likely that the next-generation 718 will only have one charging port.
Likely to carry the internal codename “983,” the next-generation 718 could retain the “Boxster” moniker despite no longer using a boxer engine. That wouldn’t be a surprise—the Taycan Turbo doesn’t have a turbocharger. It’s a popular nameplate that Porsche doesn’t want to discontinue.
The new electric sports car will retain its fabric roof, two-seat layout, and front trunk, but will be a different model under the skin. It could borrow some of the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) hardware that Porsche is co-developing with Audi. We expect rear- and all-wheel-drive versions with single- and dual-motor setups. The Boxster will likely come out first, followed by the Cayman coupe shortly after.
The new electric Macan has a lithium-ion battery with a usable capacity of 95.0 kilowatt-hours, but Porsche will likely downsize it for the Boxster/Cayman to reduce weight. People who buy sports cars are more willing to accept a shorter range if it means extra performance. If the upcoming 718 gets the same 800-volt architecture as the crossover, it should support DC charging at 270 kilowatts.
Don’t expect a design overhaul as Porsche prefers evolution over revolution. However, the interior of the current car is starting to show its age, which is why the prototypes of its successor are seen with a more modern dashboard. In addition to the larger screen, the cars have touch buttons on the center console to adjust the temperature as well as heated and ventilated seats.
The future 718 will be sold exclusively with electric power, but the current Boxster and Cayman are not going away. Although both are being phased out in the European Union, the petrol sports car will still be around in other markets. Porsche will sell ICE and EV models side by side for an unspecified period before eventually ending production of the former. It’s the same story with the old and new Macan.
