Porsche confirms electric 718, Macan and Cayenne as part of EV roadmap
Porsche’s model range will undergo a significant shake-up by the end of the decade, with pure-electric sports cars and SUVs in the pipeline
It's no secret that Porsche is plotting a range of electric cars that will eventually replace its ICE lineup, and during its Annual Press Conference this month, the firm cast further light on these electrification plans.
As previously announced, Porsche is targeting 80 per cent of its sales to be EVs by 2030, the bulk of which will be SUVs. The new Macan will be the first of these new electric cars when it arrives next year, to be followed by electric 718 Cayman and Boxster models in 2025.
Beyond this, the fourth-generation Cayenne will switch to electric power, sitting below a new flagship SUV codenamed ‘K1’. Porsche’s forthcoming SSP Sport platform will form the basis of the K1, which will be a sportier and more luxurious machine than the Cayenne.
The SSP Sport architecture will incorporate next generation technology that’s being developed within the VW Group’s Artemis program, but will forge ahead with its own bespoke elements, giving Porsche flexibility to tailor it for specific applications.
This will influence the platform’s hardware and software, while facilitating Porsche’s own future battery technology, new-age oil-cooled electric motors and 900V electrical architectures. Elements of these new technologies have already been seen on Porsche concept cars such as the Mission R.
Porsche’s future all-electric Panamera and second-generation Taycan will share this SSP Sport platform, but those models are not expected to arrive until much later into the decade. Until then, the current Taycan will remain on its J1 platform – one that was more experimental and designed less for future adaption into more models – while the Panamera will keep its combustion MSB platform.
As part of the conference, Porsche also confirmed a significant overhaul to the current Cayenne for this year, which will bring a host of design, powertrain and chassis upgrades to extend its appeal before the electric fourth-gen version arrives. This - along with the Macan EV - will adopt Porsche’s flexible PPE architecture, which has been developed in conjunction with Audi. The dual motor Macan is tipped to offer up to 600bhp, with an 800V electrical system which can revert to 400V where needed.
The all-electric 718 is on track for a launch in 2025, and will utilise a bespoke EV platform designed specifically for sports cars. Details are thin on the ground, but Porsche could use strategic battery packaging to emulate the characteristics of its brilliant mid-engined cars, as it did with the Mission R. In contrast, the 911 will remain combustion-powered in large part, with a new hybrid version expected later this year.
Porsche also revealed plans for more limited edition cars and one-off commissions in the future, which could spell good news for fans of the combustion engine - as could the company’s investment in e-fuels. This will support Porsche’s racing programs, experience centres and customers, with carbon-neutral e-fuel production unlikely to impact Porsche’s goal to become net carbon zero by 2030.
