Porsche Confirms Development of Electric 718 Sports Car

Porsche's new chief executive, Michael Leiters, has confirmed the company remains committed to launching an all-electric version of its 718 sports car, ending months of speculation that the project might be canceled. The confirmation came in an interview with the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, where Leiters stated the model is still in development and is expected to go on sale in 2027.

Leiters, who assumed the CEO role at the start of 2026, directly addressed the rumors, stating that the company concluded building the electric 718 is the best economic solution and that it will be a fantastic car. The electric 718 will replace the combustion-powered Boxster and Cayman models, production of which ended in October 2025. The 718 has historically served as Porsche's entry-level sports car, playing a key role in attracting new customers to the brand below the more expensive 911.

The announcement comes as Porsche navigates a challenging transition to electrification amid a cooling global market for electric vehicles. The company's financial struggles have included an overinvestment in EVs, leading to a strategic reassessment. This has resulted in other shifts, such as...