Porsche’s future electric sports cars, the 718 Boxster and Cayman models, will not undergo drastic physical changes as they will be built on a production “Flexiline” that can accommodate both electric and gas-powered vehicles. This means that there will be a technology overlap in production, and petrol-powered 718 models will continue to be built even after the launch of the electric EV units in 2025. However, Porsche plans to eventually offer fully electric versions of all 718 models later in the decade, joining the Taycan and Macan EV. A Cayenne EV is also expected in 2026.
The “Flexiline” concept includes guided pilot vehicles that will allow two different generations of cars with different powertrains to be built alongside each other. Porsche will invest approximately $250 million to upgrade its Zuffenhausen production plant in Stuttgart, where the Boxster and Caymans are currently manufactured.
Porsche has set a goal for pure electric vehicles to account for 50 percent of its global sales by 2025 and 80 percent by 2030. However, it has not announced specific details about phasing out its internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, including the Macan, and intends to continue producing ICE 911 sports cars as long as there is customer demand and emissions regulations allow.
Albrecht Reimold, Executive Board member for Production and Logistics at Porsche AG, described the construction project as an important milestone for the Zuffenhausen site. He emphasized that the upgrades will enhance efficiency, maintain the highest quality standards, and enable the mixed production of combustion-engine and electric sports cars, marking a new chapter in sports car production with the implementation of a smart factory.
In addition to the production upgrades, the plant has expanded to include additional quality test benches for vehicle assembly, more logistics areas, and a new high-bay rack. The assembly of the electric powertrain for the forthcoming electric Macan will also be integrated into the existing engine plant.
