Porsche’s plan to launch fully electric versions of the 718 Cayman and 718 Boxster is facing serious trouble. After years of development, delays, and rising costs, the German automaker may decide to cancel the project entirely, even after investing a huge amount of money into it.

The electric 718 Cayman and Boxster were originally planned as Porsche’s first fully electric mid-engine sports cars. From the beginning, the idea was to offer both models only with electric power, marking a major shift away from internal combustion engines. However, bringing that vision to life has proven far more difficult than expected.

Driving Feel Became a Major Problem

One of the biggest challenges Porsche has faced is preserving the brand’s signature driving experience. According to reports, early versions of the electric 718 models did not deliver the sharp handling and emotional feel that customers expect from a Porsche sports car.

Because of this, Porsche reportedly spent even more money and time trying to improve the driving dynamics. Despite these efforts, progress has been slow, and the project has already been delayed several times.

New CEO Could Pull the Plug

Things became even more uncertain with the arrival of Porsche’s new CEO, Michael Leiters, who officially took over the role on January 1. Leiters previously worked at McLaren and is known for focusing heavily on performance and efficiency.

With development costs continuing to rise and no clear launch date in sight, there is growing speculation that Porsche’s leadership may decide the electric 718 project is no longer worth continuing. If that happens, both the electric Cayman and electric Boxster could be cancelled completely.

Plug-In Hybrid Plans Add More Complexity

According to a report from Bloomberg, Porsche is now considering adding a plug-in hybrid model to its lineup. While this may sound like good news for enthusiasts, it also brings new challenges.

Developing a plug-in hybrid system would require even more investment, further increasing costs. It would also delay the 718 lineup even more, raising concerns that the cars could feel outdated by the time they finally reach the market.

Gas Engines Could Still Survive, For Now

There is still some hope for fans of traditional Porsche sports cars. In a more positive scenario, Porsche may decide to keep internal combustion engines alive in the next-generation 718 lineup, although they would likely be electrified to meet modern emissions rules.

These electrified gasoline engines would not only help Porsche comply with stricter regulations, especially in the U.S. and Europe, but could also deliver more power than the current models.

Possible Powertrain Details

While Porsche has not confirmed any official specifications, some reports suggest that future high-performance 718 models could use a twin-turbo 3.6-litre flat-six engine with electric assistance. This is the same setup used in the Porsche 911 GTS.

That powertrain produces a combined 532 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque, which would be a noticeable upgrade over today’s 718 Cayman GT4 RS and Boxster Spyder RS models. See more Photos

Even ICE Models Are Not Fully Safe

Despite this optimism, there is still a risk that not only the electric versions, but also the gasoline-powered 718 models, could be cancelled. Some industry insiders believe Porsche may decide to rethink the entire 718 lineup if costs and delays continue to grow.

This would be disappointing news for sports car fans, especially since Porsche is believed to be close to finishing development of the ICE-powered versions.

An Uncertain Future for the 718 Lineup

At this point, the future of the Porsche 718 Cayman and Boxster remains unclear. While electric versions seem increasingly unlikely, even the gasoline models are no longer guaranteed.

For now, enthusiasts can only wait and see what decision Porsche makes. One thing is certain: whatever happens, it will mark a major turning point for one of Porsche’s most beloved sports car families.