Petrol isn’t dead! Next-gen Porsche 718 will get petrol-powered versions alongside electric vehicle powertrain as German brand changes plans

Fans of the petrol-powered Porsche 718 Cayman and Boxster sports cars have something big to celebrate.

While the next-generation version of the two-door twins was originally planned to be electric only, Porsche has changed tack.

Slowing demand for EVs globally, the impact of US tariffs and the slowdown in the Chinese luxury car segment have prompted a “strategic realignment” from the German brand, according to a media statement.

Production of the current-generation 718 was set to end in the coming months in preparation for the ramp up of the all-electric replacements.

While that’s still expected to happen, it now looks like Porsche will develop internal combustion engine (ICE) versions of the iconic entry-level sportscars.

The decision isn’t hugely surprising, given the company reversed its decision to only offer the second-generation Macan with EV power.

After less than stellar global sales, Porsche confirmed it would push through an internal combustion engine version of the Macan, based on the same Premium Platform Combustion underpinnings as fellow Volkswagen Group brand Audi’s new Q5.

Speaking to Australian journalists at the IAA Mobility Show in Munich two weeks ago, Porsche Vice President Model Line 911 and 718 Frank Moser would not be drawn on the question of the ICE 718.

“We are working on the EV,” he said when asked if Porsche was developing an ICE version.

Moser said focussing on EV for the next-gen 718 was the right decision, and didn't question why Porsche has not simply extended the life of the current-gen models that date back to 2016.

“That was a decision we made in the past. We decided to build the electric one on the 718 and there we are working on it. And I think it's not really the wrong decision. So… this car is gonna be really, really brilliant, because it's light, powerful, and that's a combination for a two-door sports car, believe me.”

Talking up the electric version of the 718, Moser said the challenge was to balance weight and driving range.

“Weight is key even on an electric car. So what we are doing is, keeping the weight down as [much as] possible. And then we wanted to find the sweet spot between weight and range. So if you have a lot of range, you need a bigger battery. The car is going to be heavier. So we want to find the sweet spot between range of the two-door sports car and the weight.”

In the recent statement, Porsche also confirmed that the upcoming upper-large SUV that will sit above the Cayenne will not be exclusively an EV, and will instead be offered in ICE and plug-in hybrid guise first. The company is delaying and further developing its next generation of EV architecture in collaboration with its VW Group sister companies.