It's Official, Porsche's Smallest Combustion Sports Cars Are Heading To The Graveyard

6 months, 1 week ago - 25 May 2025, carbuzz

A year ago, Porsche discontinued the gas versions of its 718 Boxster and Cayman sports cars in Europe. At the same time, the German automaker said that the same cars still built and sold in the rest of the world were on borrowed time. Porsche said that the gas 718 models would be dead around the world in 2025. Now, it's official. A new report cites the company's US head of comms as confirming the end will happen in October.

When the 718 models were axed in Europe last year, it was because of new cybersecurity rules in the EU. The cars didn't comply, and since the EV replacement was almost ready to go, it didn't make sense to spend big bucks on the necessary changes. Because North America didn't have those rules, Porsche could keep selling them here. Porsche said it would do that until sometime in 2025, when it was expected that the EVs would be ready.

Gas 718 Models End Production In October

Now, Porsche Cars North America head of Product Communications, Frank Wiesmann, has told Motor 1 that the Boxster and Cayman end date has been scheduled. The last copies of the two sports cars, at least in gasoline-powered form, are set to be built in October.

But it's not clear when the company's electric replacements will arrive. Porsche had set a target of 80 percent electric vehicle sales by 2030, and has since backed down. During the company's annual meeting earlier this week, CEO Oliver Blume said that the electric 718 models would arrive "in the medium term."

Blume was still bullish on the future of the electric sports cars, saying that they will be "even more dynamic, even more powerful, with a pure driving experience." But it doesn't matter if they don't arrive.

Battery Delays Plaguing Electric Transition

In addition to a perceived slowdown in demand and sales of electric vehicles, especially those outside of the mainstream, Porsche has been hit with delays affecting the 718 project. The company is having trouble getting battery cells, Blume said recently. An unexpected bankruptcy at major battery supplier Northvolt had a large part in that. Porsche's own battery subsidiary, Cellforce Group, is also unlikely to start battery production in the near term.

This likely means Porsche's entry-level sports car won't return to the market before 2027.

Porsche is working to quickly pivot as electric sales lag initial targets. In March, the brand confirmed that it was working on a new gas-powered crossover to sit alongside the Macan EV in its lineup. That model is expected near the end of the decade. It is also expanding its powertrain mix, bringing new gas and plug-in hybrid models to market to sell alongside the EVs that are already deep into development. One of those is a new V8 engine that is currently being developed for the next-generation Cayenne SUV.

There are still rumors and reports that the K1, the upcoming three-row Porsche SUV, will be one of those. It was planned as a fully electric model, but this vehicle has a strong US focus. And US buyers are some of the most reluctant to move to an electric, leaving Porsche scrambling to redesign the model for gas power. Other EVs will also spawn gas versions that weren't originally part of the plan, so who knows, maybe a new generation of gas 718 models might come after all.