Porsche has confirmed that the next 718 Boxster and Cayman will be electric only, and it will reveal a mid-engined supercar concept called Mission S on 15 October.
The next Porsche Boxster and Cayman will not have petrol engines, and this time it appears to be final. Porsche has also confirmed that something bigger is coming. The Mission S, a mid-engined supercar concept, will be revealed on 15 October.
Both announcements came as Porsche set out its business strategy through to 2035. The plan matters because the company’s financial results have been under pressure, even though its cars are still widely praised.
Electric Only for the 718
The electric 718 Boxster and Cayman will launch next year. Porsche’s announcement did not mention petrol versions at all. When Motor1 asked about them, Porsche communications head Matthias Rauter said combustion versions had never actually been confirmed.
The 718’s future has changed several times. Porsche first said the new models would be electric only. Later reports suggested petrol versions were back on the table, and some claimed the whole project could be cancelled. For now, the answer is clear: the next 718s are battery-powered.
Still, product plans in this industry have a habit of shifting. Those of us hoping for a petrol mid-engined Porsche at the more affordable end of the range will have to look elsewhere.
Mission S Points Above the 911
Instead, the mid-engined news comes from higher up the range. Porsche calls the Mission S a preview of a potential mid-engined super sports car platform for the future. It would sit above the 911, a space last filled by the 918 Spyder.
The wording matters. “Potential” means Porsche has not committed to building a production car. However, concepts like this often closely preview the final product if the project goes ahead. Paris has been suggested as the likely venue for the reveal, but Porsche has not confirmed it.
So far, Porsche has only released a short teaser video on social media. Power, propulsion, pricing and production numbers are all still unknown. The term “mid-engined” suggests a combustion engine will be involved, unlike the all-electric Mission X concept. Speculation about a flat-eight engine remains unconfirmed.
More SUVs in the Plan
Elsewhere, the strategy leans heavily on SUVs and higher-margin models. Porsche plans to launch a smaller B-segment SUV in 2028, offered with petrol and plug-in hybrid powertrains. It will replace the previous combustion Macan and sit alongside the current electric Macan.
Porsche also plans more models in the D and E segments, where profit margins are higher. These include a new SUV that would sit above the Cayenne in size.
Where the Money Is
Put together, the plan says a lot about Porsche’s priorities. The entry-level sports cars are going electric, while combustion engines move towards SUVs, hybrids and a possible flagship for its wealthiest customers.
For enthusiasts, the Mission S is the part to watch. If it reaches production, Porsche’s next mid-engined car with a combustion engine is likely to cost far more than a Boxster.
