Porsche Isn’t Done Testing Its First Electric Coupe: Video

It’s been almost three years since prototypes of the 718 EV were first caught testing. Car paparazzi initially spotted the Boxster, but it didn’t take long before the Cayman appeared in front of the camera. Although prototypes have been around for a long time, the production version remains elusive. That likely means there will be a gap between the demise of the gas models this October and the arrival of the EV replacements.

But when are the electric Boxster and Cayman actually coming? The initial plan was for the 718 EV to debut before the electric Cayenne. However, Porsche recently told us that the order has been reversed, with the electric SUV now scheduled to break cover first. The next-generation Cayenne debuts later this year, so we might have to wait until later in 2026 for the electric sports cars. It’s unclear whether Zuffenhausen will unveil both body styles at once or launch the convertible first, followed shortly by its fixed-roof sibling.

In the meantime, it’s business as usual. Another Cayman prototype has been spotted working out at the Nürburgring gym. Although it resembles a two-door Taycan coupe, Porsche has confirmed the car will ride on a different platform rather than the J1 architecture shared with the Audi E-Tron GT. While details remain scarce, the Mission R concept hinted at a relatively low curb weight of 3,306 pounds (1,500 kilograms).

But who’s going to buy an electric 718? After all, the Boxster and Cayman EVs are expected to be more expensive than the outgoing gas models. The cheapest convertible currently starts at $76,895 before options, while the coupe begins at $74,795. Hopefully, Porsche will keep pricing below six figures. Otherwise, the EVs could end up dangerously close to a base 911 Carrera, which starts at $127,700. We know which of the two we’d choose, and it’s not the silent one.

Is there still hope for a gas engine in the next-generation models? Yes and no. Porsche has said that future models originally planned as EVs could potentially receive ICE variants. However, it’s unclear whether former Chief Financial Officer Lutz Meschke was referring to the 718 when he made that statement late last year. He might’ve been thinking about a replacement for the gas-powered Macan, which Porsche has since said could go on sale around 2030. The upcoming three-row SUV could also be a candidate for combustion power.

Even if Porsche manages to keep the 718 EV’s weight down and the pricing reasonable, it’ll still be a tough sell without a combustion engine roaring behind the driver. It could try to compensate with fake engine noises and simulated gear shifts, but it’s just not the same.