Could the 718 replacement be an EV?

[Twinfan]

Might be the same for the top end ICE models too if they're hybrid and full of nanny systems.....

 

[ianthow]

I’m not sure that the Stuttgart lines could be used to assemble the 992, Boxster and Cayman EVs and the 718.

Jeff

AI search on 911/718 production lines suggests mid and rear engined cars can be built on the same line (yes I know that AI is not to be trusted but this makes sense and appears to be based on a Porsche annual report.​

Production line for 911 & 718​

• According to Porsche’s Annual Report: “A sophisticated control and production principle allows the assembly of all two-door sports cars – the 911, 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman model series – on one production line.” download.newsroom.porsche.com.
• The 2023 upgrade article confirms the same line: “In the future, the electric sports cars in the next 718 generation will be produced on the traditional assembly line for the two-door Porsche sports cars – and this alongside the models with a boxer engine.” Porsche Newsroom+1
• Although parts of 718 production are moved/overflowed to another site (Osnabrück Plant) to relieve capacity, the core two-door line in Zuffenhausen is retained for both lines. Porsche Newsroom

The wheelbases are so similar because flipping from a rear to mid engine design simply simply requires moving the rear bulkhead forward within a similar platform along with some changes to the packaging of the power unit and ancillaries. Goodbye rear seats and footwell. This was the concept with the 986 to allow economies of design/production with both models. Although there has been some divergence between the models since then, the principles remain the same.

 

[Motorhead]

Yes, I’m aware that the Stuttgart lines are capable of mixed production Ian; after all, 911s, Boxsters and some Caymans have been built there for many years, so building 992s and both electric and combustion-engined versions of the 718 replacement shouldn’t present any difficulties.

If you’ll forgive me for saying it but the sentence from my earlier post that you’ve referenced has been taken out of context. We were really discussing the possibility of continuing 718 production at Stuttgart along with the 992 and the electric Caymans and Boxsters which - although feasible - I think is highly unlikely owing to the age of the platform.

Jeff

 

[ianthow]

Yes, I’m aware that the Stuttgart lines are capable of mixed production Ian; after all, 911s, Boxsters and some Caymans have been built there for many years, so building 992s and both electric and combustion-engined versions of the 718 replacement shouldn’t present any difficulties.

If you’ll forgive me for saying it but the sentence from my earlier post that you’ve referenced has been taken out of context. We were really discussing the possibility of continuing 718 production at Stuttgart along with the 992 and the electric Caymans and Boxsters which - although feasible - I think is highly unlikely owing to the age of the platform.

Jeff

Given the similarities of the 992.2 and the spy photos of a 718 EV, it is possible that both could be built on the 992.2 line which will have to be modified for hybrid 911 production? A lower power version of the 992.2 GTS hybrid powertrain could suit the high end 718 now being rumoured.

 

[JohnCRS]

Interesting. Porsche could have essentially the same platform for both future 911 and Cayman products. Just as now, the key differences could be in the packaging, putting the 'engine' mass before or after the rear axle to differentiate between the two and retaining the luggage space either in the cabin, or at the rear. This applies to either EV or hybrid but means they onlly have one platform to develop. Ths would also help them maintain the dynamic differences of the different models.

Thoughts also turn to performance. If they somehow manage to retain ICE versions of the GT cars, it is going to be difficult to maintain their performance advantage over the EV 'ordinary' versions. A hybrid may help with that - combiniing the sound and soul of the ICE with the performance enhancement of the EV. In fact you could stick quite a big motor with a modest battery, covering the range issue with the combustion engine. (The BMW i3 was available with or without a combustion range enhancer)

The permutations are endless. It's fun speculating what is possible and what route Porsche might take.

 

[Motorhead]

A lower power version of the 992.2 GTS hybrid powertrain could suit the high end 718 now being rumoured.

Currently that’s my take on it too Ian, although converting the EV to an ICE configuration isn’t the work of a moment [incorporation of the fuel system and modifying the battery coolant system, etc.] and will require a significant investment in design and development costs and resources, although Porsche can capitalise on the work done on the 992.2 GTS. I can’t see these cars arriving soon; MY2028 most likely?

Difficult to justify for what are going to be low-volume high-price niche products, but presumably Porsche’s market research has decided that there’ll be sufficient demand; and a lot depends upon the projected length of the production run.

Sadly it looks as though the F-4T and F-6 4.0L engines are now history. I suppose that the former has had a decent production run in spite of initial customer [press?] resistance, but the latter’s run has been relatively brief given the significant investment which much have been made for what were just the top-end cars.

Jeff

 

[Motorhead]

Interesting. Porsche could have essentially the same platform for both future 911 and Cayman products. Just as now, the key differences could be in the packaging, putting the 'engine' mass before or after the rear axle to differentiate between the two and retaining the luggage space either in the cabin, or at the rear. This applies to either EV or hybrid but means they onlly have one platform to develop. Ths would also help them maintain the dynamic differences of the different models.

Thoughts also turn to performance. If they somehow manage to retain ICE versions of the GT cars, it is going to be difficult to maintain their performance advantage over the EV 'ordinary' versions. A hybrid may help with that - combiniing the sound and soul of the ICE with the performance enhancement of the EV. In fact you could stick quite a big motor with a modest battery, covering the range issue with the combustion engine. (The BMW i3 was available with or without a combustion range enhancer)

The permutations are endless. It's fun speculating what is possible and what route Porsche might take.

It’s going to be interesting to see how the motor/transmission unit is packaged in the EV cars John, i.e. motor in front of or behind the transmission. Looking to the future, like it or not Porsche eventually will have to produce an electric 911 and probably see electric and ICE versions of the Cayman and Boxster as means of feeding into the 911 development programme and evaluating different possibilities at minimal cost.

Having a single platform across the sports car range would save a huge amount on design and development costs, but if indeed they are going to have electric and ICE versions of the 911 you could argue: why have Boxsters and Caymans anyway, other than that they would be 2-seaters vs the 2+2 of a 911, and given that the profit margin will be much lower? However I’m sure Porsche like to have the entry-level cars to feed customers into the pricier and more extensive 911 range in time and as now find ways to reduce the platform cost by adopting a simpler and cheaper suspension arrangement [struts vs front strut or wishbone/multi-link rear with steer].

Jeff