5 Reasons the Cayman/Boxster 718 EV Is Critical to Porsche’s Electric Dreams
4. It’s Completely Different
To electrify the 718, Porsche must utilize an entirely new platform – the PPE architecture shared with other VW Group vehicles – meaning that nothing will carry over from the ICE version. The good news here is, Porsche can move the battery pack around to maximize weight distribution and replicate the feel of its mid-engine brethren, but it’s essentially starting from scratch here.
5. Weight Concerns
As most are well aware by now, given the infancy of current battery technology, EVs are incredibly heavy, and that’s a problem for a car that can attribute at least part of its magic to being on the svelte side. Waiting until things like solid state batteries become viable may be the better option, but it seems as if Porsche will move forward regardless with a targeted curb weight of around 3,600 pounds – which is quite a bit more than its ICE brethren, though with enough power and the right chassis tuning, that may be a moot point.
Throw in the fact that the 718 EV will undoubtedly cost more than the ICE versions, and it’s easy to see that Porsche has a tough sell on its hands here. However, with enough performance, the right feel, and the possibility of an all-wheel-drive version, an electrified Cayman and Boxster certainly have potential, though Porsche is also facing tremendous pressure to get it right. And, even if it does, there’s always the possibility that people will simply shun it, regardless.
Photos: Porsche
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