Update: ‘Interior’ section and ‘Range & charging’ sub-section of ‘Specifications’ updated and ‘Production’ section added.
The Porsche 718 Cayman, the company’s most affordable sports car, will go electric in the next generation. Like the Porsche Macan Electric due to arrive in showrooms in 2024, the Porsche 718 Cayman Electric will be a no-compromises bespoke EV, designed and developed from the outset to run exclusively for electric propulsion. Here’s everything we know about the Porsche 718 Cayman Electric.
Contents hide
1. Design
2. Interior
3. Specifications
4. Production
6. Electrification strategy at Porsche
7. Porsche 718 Cayman Electric FAQs
7.1. What is the Porsche 718 Cayman Electric release date?
7.2. What will be the Porsche 718 Cayman Electric price?
7.3. Which cars will be Porsche 718 Cayman Electric rivals?
Design
As we’ve depicted in our rendering, the Taycan may influence the Porsche 718 Cayman Electric’s styling. The Porsche 718 Boxster Electric should look very similar. However, maintaining the Boxster-Cayman tradition, the roadster will likely arrive first, meaning the coupe will be the one borrowing design.
A prominent low-slung, wedge-shaped front end with Porsche’s signature ‘four-point’ LED DRLs should feature on the 718 Cayman EV. The rectangular LED headlights with HD Matrix beam technology should be available as well, possibly as an optional extra. The system is twice as bright as its predecessor, and its adaptive High Beam allows individual LEDs to be temporarily blanked so as to not dazzle oncoming traffic. Moreover, it has a reach of up to 600 meters (1,968 feet).
New-age EVs usually feature almost fully covered alloy wheels for reduced air drag, but Porsche avoids them on the Taycan, probably because they impact the styling, which is a key aspect of a sports car. The company may use normal-looking wheels even on the 718 Cayman Electric, although it may use new materials for weight reduction. At the rear, the 718 Cayman Electric will likely flaunt a full-width tail light, which would match the futuristic nature of its powertrain and give it a better road presence.
Interior
Inside, the Porsche 718 Cayman Electric was earlier expected to follow the general blueprint already laid out by the Taycan. In August 2023, auto motor und sport indicated in a report that the 718 Cayman Electric’s interior would be more futuristic, saying that its co*ckpit would be a “tremendous leap.” The 718 Electric models will be the “most modern Porsches,” as per the report.
Porsche would make select changes to components and features to keep the weight low, as that aspect would be more of a concern than on the sedan. The cabin will likely be more spacious and practical than that of the gas-powered 718 Cayman, thanks to the dedicated EV platform.
Customers of the 718 Cayman EV would have their technology and convenience needs met, as Porsche is unlikely to skimp on modern luxury amenities. The instrument cluster might be a curved digital display inspired by the unit on the Taycan, while two display units located on the center console will likely be the interface to control much of the car’s infotainment and comfort functions. The company may even offer a passenger display that lets the passenger access navigation and infotainment functions, among other things, more conveniently.
Specifications
Platform
Porsche hasn’t confirmed, but German publications say it’ll build the 718 Cayman Electric on a shortened and modified version of the Porsche Macan Electric‘s PPE platform. The electric sports car will reportedly weigh around 1,600 kg (3,527 lbs.). For reference, the base gas-powered 718 Cayman (manual) has a curb weight of 3,040 lbs. The lower center of gravity should lead to a more engaging driving experience, though.
Performance & Range
The Porsche 718 Cayman Electric will be offered in single-motor RWD and dual-motor AWD variants, as per the auto motor und sport report. The instantaneous response of electric powertrains will deliver exhilarating acceleration under almost any circ*mstances.
Porsche has confirmed that the Macan EV’s permanent synchronous electric motors are capable of up to around 450 kW (603 hp) and over 1,000 Nm (738 lb.-ft.) of torque. However, it’s unlikely that these specs would make it to the smaller and lighter 718 Cayman Electric, as Porsche might consider that much power unnecessary.
However, Porsche will likely want to offer more power and torque in the 718 Cayman Electric than in the gas-powered 718 Cayman because it’ll need to compensate for the heavy battery. Moreover, companies, especially those dealing in performance categories, are pushing customers to switch to EVs saying they offer more power and torque. That’s the marketing 101 of EVs, and we expect Porsche to follow the norm.
The quickest 718 Cayman you can buy today is the 718 Cayman GT4 RS, which employs a 4.0-liter naturally aspirated six-cylinder engine producing 493 hp at 8,400 rpm and 331 lb.-ft. of torque at 6,250 rpm. This particular mid-engined 718 Cayman does 0 to 60 mph in just 3.2 seconds and has the capability to hit a top speed of 196 mph. So, the top-performing 718 Cayman Electric should have all the power and torque required to attain a 0-60 mph acceleration time of under 3.0 seconds and a top speed of at least 200 mph. Porsche may save the best configurations for a later launch, though.
Range & charging
There’s no word on the energy storage capacity of the 718 Cayman GT4’s battery pack, but German reports suggest the WLTP range will be around 400 km (249 miles). In that case, the EPA-est. range would be approximately 200 miles.
According to the auto motor und sport report, Porsche will source the batteries for the 718 Cayman Electric from Finnish company Valmet and install them between the car’s seats and rear axle to replicate the gas-powered 718 Cayman’s mid-engine layout.
Thanks to a system voltage of about 800 volts, which would be double the normal, the 718 Cayman Electric’s battery pack may leverage the peak charging capacity of ultra-fast chargers. Its maximum DC charging input right from launch could be close to 300 kW. A 5-80% SoC charging session may take less than 25 minutes. At home, a maximum AC charging input of 22 kW may allow charging the battery pack from 0 to 80% SoC in just around 5 hours.
Production
Porsche will manufacture the 718 Cayman Electric alongside ICE sports cars with a boxer engine at its main plant in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen, Germany. The company is investing approximately 250 million euros (~USD 275 million) in the construction work required to get the plant ready for the future.
Porsche 718 Cayman Electric Price & Release Date
The Porsche 718 Cayman Electric is likely in its initial development phase, and we expect its U.S. launch to take place in 2025. Its prices may start around USD 80,000.
Electrification strategy at Porsche
Porsche’s ‘e-mobility’ mission is integral to the brand’s overall strategic and sustainability goals for the future. The plan was first announced on Earth Day 2021 (April 22) when the company pledged to become carbon-neutral by 2030. It also said that the aim was to have 50 percent of its models sold in 2025 be powered by an electric motor, and by 2030, Porsche wants that figure to reach 80 percent.
Porsche 718 Cayman Electric FAQs
What is the Porsche 718 Cayman Electric release date?
The Porsche 718 Cayman Electric will likely start reaching U.S. dealers in 2025.
What will be the Porsche 718 Cayman Electric price?
The Porsche 718 Cayman Electric could be priced from around USD 80,000.
Which cars will be Porsche 718 Cayman Electric rivals?
The Porsche 718 Cayman Electric will compete with the Alpine A110 successor, officially confirmed to arrive by 2026.
Featured Image Source: TopElectricSUV.com’s rendering of the Porsche 718 Cayman Electric
Suraj Viswanathan Freelance Editor
Over the past 8 years, I’ve written 100s of automotive articles serving major markets across the globe, before becoming a part of the team at TopElectricSUV.
