Porsche 718 EV To Live Alongside Combustion Version

Porsche enthusiasts who aren't ready to switch over to electric power have reason to celebrate, as the German marque will continue producing the current gas-powered 718BoxsterandCayman(codenamed 982) even when a new all-electric version (983) arrives.

Effectively, then, the two will roll off the production line simultaneously, extending the life of Porsche's gas-powered junior sports car range. This overlap between the two dramatically different generations will allow Porsche to electrify its lineup further without alienating those who still choose gas power. However, it's not clear how long the two models will be produced at the same time.

"It depends a little bit on the market," said Dr. Michael Steiner, head of R&D at Porsche, when talking toRoad & Trackabout the 982 and 983. "In principle, our strategy is that we try to overlap both [982 and 983], but for the current Boxster and Cayman, we'll run [out of time] due to regulation in Europe."

Steiner was referencing new UN cybersecurity regulations that will be introduced next July for cars in Europe, Japan, and South Korea. Adapting the current 982 to meet these regulations will be too expensive, but in other regions where the regulations don't apply, the 982's production run can be extended even as the electric 983 arrives.