As previously rumoured, the next-generation Porsche 718 Cayman and Boxster could be completely electrified. A new report reveals that the upcoming product will keep to its mid-engined philosophy with its battery and motor layout.
As Autocar reports, the EV Porsche 718 Cayman and Boxster will adopt an e-core layout with its new bespoke electric sportscar architecture. With this, it’s understood that the seating position will be as low as possible to enhance the centre of gravity.
It has been rumoured that the Mission R concept’s design and dimensions will be applied to the EV Porsche 718 Cayman and Boxster. The chassis on this concept was in fact a reworked one of that currently being used on the 718 Cayman. Company boss Oliver Blume said “When we electrify a model, we won’t do a carry-over of the combustion engine [platform] because there are too many compromises.
“When we are looking to future sports cars, we would develop its own platform but connected with some modules coming from other cars. But the platform will be unique.”
Porsche technical chief Michael Steiner added that this layout had to be applied because the group’s current J1 and upcoming PPE layout would add too tall a height figure to the design.
“With a typical two-door sports car, you see the car is really low because to reduce drag you want the silhouette as low and flat as possible,” said Steiner.
“To do that you should have the driver sitting as low as possible, and if you do that there is no space for a battery below the seat of the driver.
“It’s the same reason why a lot of super-sports cars today have a mid-engine design, with the engine behind the driver. With today’s battery cell technology, the batteries are the biggest and heaviest part of the car – and this could be true for the next decade or so – so we developed what we call the e-core battery design. Packaging-wise and centre of gravity-wise, it’s more or less a copy of a mid-engine design.”
What about customer demand for an EV Porsche 718 Cayman and Boxster? Steiner said “I would say yes, but this needs weight reduction. If you drive and push a real sports car on the race track, you would still feel this [weight]. You might not notice it on the highway, but a real sports car has to perform on the race track.”
