New Porsche Boxster EV "gives you everything"

The next-generation Porsche 718 sports car – including the Boxster convertible and Cayman coupe – remains firmly in development despite rumours the project could be cancelled.

Porsche Cars Australia Managing Director and CEO Daniel Schmollinger described the electric Boxster as “amazing” to drive.

The next-generation Porsche 718 mid-engine sports car series – originally the Boxster drop top and Cayman coupe – is still in development and almost certainly set to launch in Australia.

That’s the word according to Porsche Cars Australia Managing Director and CEO Daniel Schmollinger, who has driven the all-electric car and describes it very positively.

Schmollinger told carsales the next-gen 718 Boxster and Cayman entry-level sports cars remain crucial vehicles for the brand.

“So 718 is an important pillar of our model range. It always was with the petrol cars, of course.

“We can't tell yet when it's coming, but I had the chance to drive it, and it is actually amazing,” he revealed.

Schmollinger’s comments seemingly pour cold water on previous reports from financial outlet Bloomberg suggesting the 718 project was in peril.

Unlike the iconic Porsche 911 – which uses a rear-engine layout – the 718 range has traditionally featured a mid-engine configuration, with the engine mounted behind the seats but ahead of the rear axle for improved balance and handling.

An EV version of the vehicle would almost certainly see the smaller e-motors mounts to the axles but according to Schmollinger, that core mid-engine dynamic will remain intact in the electric version.

“So I had the chance to drive it on a race track and it was just amazing. A Boxster type of car should give you the weight distribution, a very go karty feeling and it provides that.”

“And with the electric engine, of course, it gives you even more dynamic driving.

Schmollinger wouldn’t be drawn on specific details such as a launch date or performance figures.

When asked whether the 718 Series would still be offered with combustion engines – as has been widely reported due to softening demand for EV sports cars – he played his cards close to his chest.

“This is still very early and we can't speculate. There's no official announcement,” he said.

When pushed further on the possibility of a combustion-engine Porsche 718 – or even a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version – the Porsche Australia boss conceded the door remains open.

“Headquarters is basically constantly evaluating where the opportunities are. Every six months they look into what can we do and what do we not want to do.

“So there is opportunity out there.

“There's nothing that we can communicate at this point in time, but definitely they know where the opportunities are,” he said.

While Porsche is yet to confirm timing for the new-generation 718, Schmollinger’s comments strongly suggest the electric sports car remains on track despite earlier speculation about delays and possible cancellation.

Whether the new platform ultimately supports internal-combustion or hybrid variants alongside the EV remains an open question – one Porsche headquarters is still actively evaluating.

For now, though, the next-generation electric 718 appears set to carry forward the mid-engine balance and sharp handling that have long defined Porsche’s entry-level sports car. Watch this space!

* Some images created with AI assistance

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