-- Last month saw the official discontinuation of the Porsche petrol-fuelled 718 Boxster and Cayman models, with the end of production. While existing orders will still be fulfilled until March 2026, the news has been met with disappointment among Porsche enthusiasts who are passionate about the range.
While this is at least partly due to Porsche’s move to focus more on eco-friendly EVs, it also wasn't entirely Porsche's decision, with complexities around EU cybersecurity regulations that would have required extensive re-engineering.
Design911, the long-established experts on Porsche parts, components and performance upgrades, explain the underlying reasons that prompted Porsche to make this call, as well as a look into the marque’s future plans.
Understanding Why the Porsche 718 Range Is No More
It's no secret that Porsche, alongside many other manufacturers, has had an eye on the EV market. Although the speed of regulatory reforms designed to encourage buyers to switch from fuel-powered engines to electric varies between locations, there’s also no doubt that electrification is widely perceived as the future.
Porsche has already released an all-electric Taycan, along with Sport Turismo, Cross Turismo, and sedan versions, and announced the launch of the Macan Electric SUV in 2026, which complements the hybrid models available, such as the Cayenne E-Hybrid and the Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid.
However, the other aspect, mentioned above, relates to European Union cybersecurity regulations, known as the Cyber Resilience Act, which was adopted last year and will be fully enforceable and mandatory by the end of 2027.
In short, these new rules mean that car manufacturers will need to undertake substantial upgrades to the electronic and software components within their vehicles. Porsche concluded that the level of re-engineering required to bring the now-discontinued 718 Boxster and Cayman up to compliance standards was prohibitively costly.
Originally introduced in 2016, the 718 replaced the older Cayman and Boxster models. Despite controversy, it swiftly became popular due to its balanced weight, accurate handling, and driver experience. More recent models have satisfied purists with the reintroduction of a classic six-cylinder engine, contrasting with the turbocharged four-cylinder flat fours.
Impacts of the 718 Discontinuation for Porsche Owners and Collectors
Typically, a discontinued Porsche, or a model produced for a limited time or with high-performance features, such as the Spyder RS and GT4, will become more valuable and sought after. There is a good likelihood that the 718, the last variant of a petrol-powered mid-engine Porsche, will become a classic in the future.
The 718 isn't yet regarded as a collector's model. Still, as more production transitions over to Porsche EV ranges, and fewer fuel-powered Porsches remain on the roads, there is the probability that a 718 will appreciate over time, especially for devotees who consider the six-cylinder later models as among the best cars the marque has ever produced.
Now that production has ended, there is a slim possibility that some existing 718s will be available to buy, but inventory is incredibly rare and hard to find, with demand from buyers wanting to take the chance to own a piece of Porsche history.
Existing 718 owners can, however, continue to upgrade their Porsche components, replace parts that have worn out over time, or refresh their interiors with readily available parts and aftermarket components, ranging from suspension and brake kits to interior accessories.
Porsche's Plans for the Future: Replacements for the 718 Boxster and Cayman Models
Although Porsche, like every manufacturer, will advocate for the improvements in torque and centre of gravity that electric models offer, there are drivers and owners who won’t be prepared to move away from the deep roar of a powerful internal combustion engine.
However, those who are interested in EVs, or want to test drive an alternative model, will be pleased to hear that Porsche has confirmed that both a hybrid petrol and an all-electric replacement are being developed, and that prototypes are currently being tested.
New EV versions are expected to hit the market next year, and although the original announcement was for a fully electric-only successor, Porsche has revised this to incorporate a hybrid, which will be manufactured slightly later.
There isn't a great amount of detail available as yet about the all-electric 718, but we’ve been advised that there will be hardtop and convertible models, with a newly developed platform to ensure each car is as light as possible, with entry-level variations with a rear motor only, and GTS-style equivalents with all-wheel drive.
Porsche’s 718 EV is also expected to have 250+ miles of driving capacity, with something similar to the Taycan’s 800-volt system that supports super-fast charging.
The hybrid ranges are said to incorporate hybrid flat-six engines, based on the 911 GTS, and high-performance specifications similar to the GT4 and Spyder. Hybrid models won’t be available immediately after the 2026 launch, but they have already generated excitement among enthusiasts and will represent a higher-end, more expensive version of the new lineup.
Time Frames for Porsche's Transition to Electric Vehicle Production
Interestingly, Porsche's initially ambitious goals to introduce an extended range of EVs have been pushed back, primarily due to the slower-than-expected growth in demand for electric-only vehicles and increased competition from existing and emerging automotive markets, including China.
That said, the marque still plans to shift 80% of all new car sales to electric models by 2030, with the caveat that this is reliant on consumer demand and is subject to further change.
In another snippet of information, Porsche is investing in innovative eFuels, a type of synthetically produced fuel that can be used in petrol-powered cars with lower carbon emissions. This suggests that a complete cessation of production of other models is unlikely at this point.
For the time being, 718 owners are advised to ensure they keep their Porsches in good condition, with the prospect of achieving much higher valuations in the years ahead, while those interested in Porsche’s latest EV and hybrid variants can keep an eye out for releases into next year.
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About Us: About Design911 Design911 has established itself as the market leader, offering trade and retail customers a full range of OEM and aftermarket Porsche parts for general servicing and rebuild as well as restoration and tuning. The company supports customers in the UK, EU and world-wide to include USA, Spain, Italy, Germany, France and the Netherlands. The Design911.com website now sports a Porsche parts finder to help you get the exact aftermarket Porsche part you need. The company's impressive 34,000 sq. ft Essex headquarters comprises a sales department, warehouse, workshop and body shop, as well as a showroom of classic Porsches for sale. In addition a European warehouse - based in Heijningen, Netherlands, secures fast delivery across the EU for a vast range of branded Porsche car parts.
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