Porsche 718 Boxter or Cayman ke electric versions ka kaam kaafi time se chal raha hai. TopSpeed par humne first time inko mention early 2021 mein kiya tha. Kaafi long development phase or current petrol models ka production discontinue karne ke baad, Porsche next year apni new electric sports cars launch karne ke track par thi. But scene thoda change ho gaya hai, EVs ka jo hype tha wo kaafi reduce ho chuka hai, or that's the reason Porsche ab Boxster or Cayman ke liye apni pure electric strategy ko reconsider kar rahi hai.
Autocar ke according, Porsche ab plan kar rahi hai ki jo all electric platform itni efforts se develop kiya gaya tha, usko gas/petrol engines ke liye bhi adapt kiya jaye.
Ye process thoda time taking hai, maybe decade ke end tak hi sab ready hoga. Isliye tab tak Porsche current Boxster or Cayman ke top variants sell karti rahegi, means petrol powered RS or GT4 RS, new electric models ke alongside.
Aur sirf EV demand reduce hona hi reason nahi hai. EU ne Euro 7 emission rules ko kaafi soften kar diya hai or e-fuel exemption bhi introduce kiya hai, so that 2035 ke baad bhi ICE engines exist kar sake.
This will be quite challenging
Image Courtesy: Top Speed
Porsche ne khud ke liye work thoda challenging bana liya hai, because electric 718 Boxster or Cayman ka development considerably progress ke baad ab ICE engines dene ka decision liya hai. Jo PPE sport platform next gen cars ke liye use hona hai, wo basically pure EV ke liye design kiya gaya hai. Ab iss platform ko petrol engine ke liye adapt karna kaafi bada headache hoga, internal components ko completely repackage karna padega. Sabse bada headache battery pack hai, because EV version mein wo sirf battery nahi, rather car ka structural part bhi hai.
Aisa karne ke liye reportedly ek bolt in structural floor section banana padega, jo battery pack ki jagah lega or car ki structural rigidity ko maintain karega. Autocar ke according, engine or transmission ko fit karne ke liye rear bulkhead or rear subframe ko bhi redesign kiya jaayega. Phir bhi, engineers ko fuel tank, fuel lines, exhaust system or other stuff ke liye space create karni padegi.
Porsche toh Porsche hai, wo chahta hai ki petrol versions bhi utne hi fun or exciting ho jitne electric models. Ye kaafi tough hai, because EVs ka center of gravity bahut low hota hai (heavy battery ki wajah se) or unka instant torque bhi next level hota hai. Abhi tak yeh clear nahi hai ki kaunsa petrol engine use hoga, but speculation yeh hai ki 4.0 liter flat six cylinder engine ka hi koi version hoga, jo almost 500 horsepower tak de sakta hai.
Top Speed perspective
Image Courtesy: Top Speed
Nowdays carmakers ke liye kaafi challenging ho gaya hai, kabhi Government ki EV policy see-saw ki tarah rehti hai (Note: yahan baat US ki ho rahi hai) or moreover buyers bhi confuse hai, khud hi nahi jaante unhe chahiye kya. Or ye first time nahi hai jab Porsche ne EVs pe thoda reverse gear lagaya ho. Is year ke start mein unhone Macan, Cayenne or Panamera ke liye full electric future ka plan drop kar diya, or decide kiya ki wapas petrol engines or hybrid powertrains apni lineup mein introduce karenge.
Porsche first car company bhi nahi hai jo apne EV platform ko wapas se tweak karke petrol engine fit kar rahi ho. Fiat ne bhi apni current 500 city car ke saath yehi kiya tha. Originally uss car ko pure electric ke liye design kiya gaya tha, phir company ne usme small engine or mild-hybrid setup add kar diya. And yes, usme manual transmission bhi offer kiya jata tha.
Unfortunately, problem ye hai ki itni saari extra development pe kaafi zyada cost invest hota hai. Iska result ye ho raha hai ki Porsche ke profits pe massive impact pad raha hai. 2025 mein jab company ne apni "strategic realignment" announce ki thi, tab unhone khud admit kiya ki unhe approx. $8.9 billion ka loss hone wala hai. Car business waise bhi kabhi easy bola hi nahi jaata.
Porsche continues with the electric 718, the Cayman is set to debut with 500 HP in 2027
Image Courtesy: Motor.es
New 718 Boxster ke prototypes ko around 4 years test karne ke baad, German brand ne decide kiya hai ki combustion (petrol) version wapas offer kiye jaayenge. Iska matlab ye nahi hai ki is two-seater roadster ke launch mein koi delay hoga. Saath hi, closed-roof 718 Cayman bhi delay nahi hogi, actually wo phir se winter testing ke liye aa gayi hai or uska development or zyada fast ho gaya hai. Abhi yeh German two-seater apne development program ke sabse critical phase mein chal rahi hai, jo iss year ke beginning mein start hua tha.
Is small sports car Porsche ka ek prototype recently northern Sweden ke icy roads par spot hua hai. During the test session ye Boxster ke saath chal rahi thi, jahan kaafi kilometers drive karke car ke all over systems check kiye ja rahe the.
Special focus tha dynamic systems par, jo tough situations mein chassis control ko affect karte hai, or comfort related things par bhi. Heating system, uska energy consumption, or battery ko charge karne se pehle preheat karna jaise features is size ki car ke liye kaafi important hote hai.
New Porsche 718 Cayman spy shots
Image Courtesy: Motor.es
bodywork dekh ke lagta hi nahi hai. Test cars almost same condition mein hai jaise last time jab is new 718 Cayman ko Nürburgring pe testing par spot kiya gaya tha. Bas difference itna hai ki first spy images mein rear doors ke behind jo fixed window hai uska actual shape clearly dikh gaya tha, rather in latest image mein woh detail hide hai.
Rest remains although abhi bhi sab covered hi hai, however kuch details jaise front bumper par lage grills ka cover rehna almost bas formality lagta hai, because inka design new Porsche Cayenne Electric jaisa hi hoga. Skirt mein trapezoid shape ka insert hai or both of the sides par 4 vertical hatches hai, jo engine ki ventilation needs ke according open ya close hote rehte hai, jisse aerodynamics better hoti hai. central section mein cruise control ka radar sensor laga hai, or bhi kaafi electronic aids ke saath.
The new Porsche 718 Cayman will arrive as the first electric model
Image Courtesy: Motor.es
Porsche ne small-small things ko bhi mind mein rakha hai, jaise aerodynamic alloy wheels, jinke rims almost brake disc ke around saari air intake off kar dete hai. Front or rear both side perforated brakes hai, so clearly ye car more powerful version lag rahi hai. Overall look kaafi impressive hai, especially Porsche 718 Cayman ke liye, kaafi time se replacement ki demand kar rahi thi. Ye car 2027 ke starting months mein aayegi, but Oliver Blume ke regret wale statement ke baad, maybe waise nahi jaise audience expect kar rahe the.
Porsche ne jo investment in electric sports cars mein invest kari hai, usko ab undo karna possible nahi hai. Agar aisa karte, then unko at least or 2 years ka delay ho jaata. Isliye abhi ke liye plan same rahega.
718 Cayman market mein electric versions ke saath launch hogi, jisme 2 motors honge, all wheel drive offer hoga or power 500 HP se less nahi hogi. Saath hi ek strong lithium-ion battery hogi jo approx. 500km ki range offer karegi.
Ye options isliye sahi hai so that customers satisfied rahein or buyers competitors jaise BMW M2 ki taraf attract na ho, whether 2030 se pehle new petrol versions kyun na aa jaayein.