On August 5, 2026, a specialist publication reported comments from Porsche CEO Michael Leiters stating that the electric 718 will be built despite the prolonged development process. This is significant after months of rumors that the project had been canceled. However, it is not a vehicle presentation: Porsche still has not publicly announced a debut date, specifications, price, or production version lineup for the 718 EV.
Leiters’ position is not in question: he became chairman of the executive board of Porsche AG on January 1, 2026. However, the information about the future electric sports car available on August 5 is based on his interview with a German newspaper, as reported by automotive media, rather than on a separate technical release from Porsche.
In brief: three dates that explain the situation
September 6, 2021 — Porsche presented the Mission R electric racing concept.
Late October 2025 — production of the gasoline-powered 718 Boxster and Cayman ended.
August 5, 2026 — specialist media reported Michael Leiters’ comments about the continuation of the 718 EV project.
What is known — and what is not
Question | Status as of August 6, 2026 | Basis |
|---|---|---|
Is the project still continuing? | Yes, according to comments from the CEO reported by specialist media. | The August 5 publication, citing an interview with Leiters. |
Are the previous gasoline-powered 718 models still being produced? | No, production has ended. | Porsche’s official 2025 report. |
World premiere and sales launch date for the 718 EV | Not disclosed. | Porsche has made no public announcement. |
Battery, power, drivetrain, range, and price | Not disclosed. | Porsche has published no official specifications. |
Why the 718 has become such an important issue
The 718 series was the entry point to the mid-engine Porsche range: the closed-body Cayman and open-top Boxster. In its official 2025 report, Porsche explicitly states that production of the 718 Boxster and Cayman ended in late October 2025.
This explains why an electric successor matters more than a routine generational update. Porsche no longer regularly produces the familiar 718 models, but a gap has emerged between the end of the old series and the debut of the new one. The August 5 statement confirms the direction of development, but does not shorten that gap with a specific date.
Mission R is a reference point, not a specification sheet for the future 718 EV
On September 6, 2021, Porsche presented the Mission R at IAA Mobility in Munich. It was an electric racing concept with a 900-volt architecture, an approximately 80 kWh battery, and a claimed charging time of around 15 minutes from 5 to 80 percent.
However, the Mission R was developed for customer motorsport. Its output of up to 800 kW in qualifying mode, weight of around 1.5 tonnes, and aerodynamic design are not specifications for a road-going Porsche 718 EV. The concept shows Porsche’s engineering direction; it does not promise production equipment or performance figures.
What Porsche’s official strategy says
At its annual press conference on March 11, 2026, Porsche announced a review of its product strategy and a flexible approach to powertrain types. The document names neither a date nor specifications for the 718 EV.
What this means for 718 buyers and owners
Anyone looking to buy a gasoline-powered Cayman or Boxster should check the availability of a specific vehicle and the applicable warranty terms.
Those waiting for an electric Porsche sports car should not yet choose a configuration or compare prices.
Current 718 owners should not draw conclusions about their vehicle’s future value based solely on the 718 EV news.
The bottom line
The Porsche 718 EV remains in development, according to comments by Michael Leiters published on August 5, 2026. At the same time, the last gasoline-powered 718 has already left production, while the manufacturer has yet to reveal details about its electric successor. For now, this confirms that the project is continuing — it is not an announcement of a finished production model.
