carmudgeons.com - View Single Post - Boxster EV/hybrid future

FC · 07-28-2020, 09:01 AM

I had heard that Porsche would be moving into making hybrid cars, but I had no idea it was this soon and this much of a done deal. A quick search yielded many articles suggesting it was imminent. One that I found was this:

https://www.goauto.com.au/news/porsc...-20/82837.html

Another contributing factor guiding the 718’s future is the Chinese market, which Mr Walliser said almost singlehandedly saved the Boxster and Cayman after the series downsized from a natural-breathing 2.7-litre six-cylinder engine to a turbocharged 2.0-litre four in 2016.

He said cracking into the Chinese market was of such significance to Porsche that the German sportscar marque was willing to compromise 718 sales in its “more traditional markets” in order to succeed in the world’s biggest automotive market.

"It was one of the most important strategic moves we did in the whole model line,” Mr Walliser said.

This reliance on the Chinese market is another reason why an electric 718 would be viable for Porsche given 860,000 electric vehicles were sold there last year, with the market share of EVs slated to reach 25 per cent before the end of this decade.

As for other directions under consideration for the next series, Mr Walliser revealed that a new body style could also come to fruition with the expansion of the Targa nameplate.

While stopping short of confirming the new addition, Mr Walliser said the targa body style “would work” as part of the 718 range, broadening its appeal as Porsche has successfully achieved with the 911.

That was a bit surprising as to the extent of the impact of China on the Boxster product planning.

Personally, I'm super bummed out. This move to EV/hybrid will almost certainly kill the MT on the Boxster. If we are extremely lucky, they may still make NA H6+MT Boxsters at the $100K level still, but that's a big if and way too pricey.

I hate that used ones are so expensive. But does it mean they are even more likely to hold their value?

EDIT: Oh, and FWIW, there are similar indications that Mazda will move to hybrids on the NE Miata. So that one could also lose the MT. Sad.

07-28-2020, 09:01 AM	#1
FC Solving problems Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: M5 / 718 GTS / Cooper S / GTI / LR4 Location: Metro Boston Posts: 25,260	Boxster EV/hybrid future - death of MT? I had heard that Porsche would be moving into making hybrid cars, but I had no idea it was this soon and this much of a done deal. A quick search yielded many articles suggesting it was imminent. One that I found was this: https://www.goauto.com.au/news/porsc...-20/82837.html Another contributing factor guiding the 718’s future is the Chinese market, which Mr Walliser said almost singlehandedly saved the Boxster and Cayman after the series downsized from a natural-breathing 2.7-litre six-cylinder engine to a turbocharged 2.0-litre four in 2016. He said cracking into the Chinese market was of such significance to Porsche that the German sportscar marque was willing to compromise 718 sales in its “more traditional markets” in order to succeed in the world’s biggest automotive market. "It was one of the most important strategic moves we did in the whole model line,” Mr Walliser said. This reliance on the Chinese market is another reason why an electric 718 would be viable for Porsche given 860,000 electric vehicles were sold there last year, with the market share of EVs slated to reach 25 per cent before the end of this decade. As for other directions under consideration for the next series, Mr Walliser revealed that a new body style could also come to fruition with the expansion of the Targa nameplate. While stopping short of confirming the new addition, Mr Walliser said the targa body style “would work” as part of the 718 range, broadening its appeal as Porsche has successfully achieved with the 911. That was a bit surprising as to the extent of the impact of China on the Boxster product planning. Personally, I'm super bummed out. This move to EV/hybrid will almost certainly kill the MT on the Boxster. If we are extremely lucky, they may still make NA H6+MT Boxsters at the $100K level still, but that's a big if and way too pricey. I hate that used ones are so expensive. But does it mean they are even more likely to hold their value? EDIT: Oh, and FWIW, there are similar indications that Mazda will move to hybrids on the NE Miata. So that one could also lose the MT. Sad. Last edited by FC; 07-28-2020 at 07:04 PM.