Yellow Submarine

When the 991.2 arrived a few years ago, it was soon followed by the 982 "718", not as expected by the 981.2. Now there's the new 992, of which I first saw spy pics in Feb 2017. Where are the spy pics of the next 718? There aren't any!

What does this mean? Is it true what Georg Kacher claims, namely that the current 718 will run a few more years after which it will be replaced with an EV?

I have to say, I believe this is the case. It made me think. If I ever wanted a GT Porsche, it was now or never. The GT3 is above my budget but a new 718 GT4 is in my reach, just. I've put a deposit down for what could possibly be the last hurrah of the old school Sportscars.

Thoughts on the future of the 718?

chriswd62

I hate to admit it, but I think you're right. The sales numbers just aren't there globally. My only hope is that they extend the platform out for a few more years and hopefully sales pick up with the release of the GT4s (with the Touring and hopefully an RS version) to support a 982.2 before the EV replacement (which is inevitable)

john981

This is exactly what I was thinking about recently and came across these articles:

https://carbuzz.com/news/future-of-t...oking-too-good
https://www.automobilemag.com/news/9...718s-not-much/

Lets wait and see!!

Yc911Kid

They sell really well in China, where the base has only 250hp and starting price is ~80k usd

john981

Hong Kong is even more crazy. Just checked the price over there, the naked base boxster is over 120k usd!!!

worf928

I did a little poking around. In 2016 and 2017 PAG sold roughly 30,000 911s. In 2016 25,000 and in 2017 20,000 981s and 718s.

Mid-engine platform sales took a hit in the move to the flat-4. But, 20k units is 20k units.

In both years fewer Panameras moved than 981/718s. I don't see the Panamera dying at time soon (although it might be supplanted by the Taycan. From spy shots the Taycan looks like 'son of Panamera' FWIW.)

IMO, if PAG kills the 718 it won't be for pure sales reasons. Given how much sharing there is between the 911 and 981/718 the incremental development cost of a next-gen 718 would - I think - still make a 20k/year car 'worth it.'
Thus, if the 718 dies it would be because VAG wants a non-Porsche in that market segment. It depends, I guess, on what's the dog and what's the tail. VAG might look like the dog, but I'm not sure.

Let's see how the GT4 and Spyder work out for units.

Pruettfan

I think some of you are missing the boat a bit. The cost of development is the real issue. If you have say 500 million (wild guess probably less) to develop a car that will help your brand for the next 8 years in this climate that car better be very desirable and profitable not to mention compatible with all of the environmental regulations hitting the world. My bet is that Porsche would use those resources on an electric car that would fill the niche of the Cayman. Just a guess of course.

I think we will see a lot of changes from all manufactures that will be pretty dramatic in the next few years. The rush for electric car development is on, what I hate is it is not consumer generated demand its government.

Yellow Submarine

And normally the more expensive models of a (premium) brand sell a lot less than the cheaper ones. With 718 v 911 it's not the case. While both models are very close in actual build cost. In EU, price delta between 718 and 911 is even bigger than in USA (911 is cheaper in USA). This means Porsche is making the vast bulk of it's Sportscars' profits on 911's. Doesn't matter that the 986 Boxster saved Porsche from bankruptcy. Times are changing.

michael818

What is the price of a 718 GT4? I have not been able to find any estimates.

Yellow Submarine

I was told (hence not in writing) less than 10% increase over the 981, here in EU. Wait and see!

NOVA718

I am guessing just under 100K in the US. Last version had an MSRP of about $86 in the US.

MidEngineRules

GT4 and Spyder sales are irrelevant, and neither are very 718-like anyway. They won't top 2,000 each worldwide. Nonetheless Porsche is pricing themselves out of the market with the platform. Something is wrong when you can still find new '17 and '18 models in 2019.

worf928

Yellow Submarine

Out the top of my head: 981 GT4: 6,000
Spyder is much more rare.

michael818