Porsche Cayman and Boxster EVs to harness racing technology
The new-generation electric Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman will feature motorsport-honed braking and handling to ensure they offer a “real sports car feeling”, according to the firm’s technical chief.
As reported by Move Electric's sister title Autocar, the new two-seaters will be built alongside the existing combustion-powered versions at Porsche’s Zuffenhausen factory. They were due to be launched in 2025.
But with Porsche recently delaying its electrification plans, reports claimed the electric 718 Boxster and Cayman could also be delayed, which would extend the life cycle of their ICE siblings.
However, prototypes of the Boxster drop-top and Cayman coupé EVs have been spied testing regularly in recent months, suggesting they are on track for a debut next year.
These test mules show how close the pair will be to the existing combustion versions in their size, styling and philosophy – even though they will be based on a new bespoke electric sports car platform.
That platform will be designed around a battery ‘core’: instead of positioning the batteries under the floor as in most EVs, they will be mounted in a pack located behind the driver, in a similar position to the combustion engine in the existing 718 models.
A necessity of that design is to minimise the size of the battery to optimise the packaging benefits, which in turn puts a key focus on efficiency and energy regeneration.
Porsche's research and development chief Michael Steiner says efficiency is a big focus with this car, and their efforts won’t just be fixed on the design of the motor but also software and braking. This will involve merging the regeneration systems with the traditional brakes.
Unlike some rivals, Porsche’s existing electric models such as the Taycan and Macan Electric offer only limited regeneration, but Steiner admitted that one-pedal driving would not be the focus of his team, because "you don't have trust in the stability of the car". Brake feel, he says, is a key element of "what makes a car superior."
As a result, both the Cayman and Boxster EVs will use integrated regeneration and braking systems.
As well as this, there will be a focus on maximising the amount of energy recaptured to optimise efficiency. That, in turn, will allow the cars to be fitted with smaller batteries, aiding packaging and reducing cost and, most crucially, weight.
As a result, and because the batteries will be placed behind the seats, the car's centre of gravity will be as close to the driver as possible.
