The move effectively resurrects the original, highly successful Boxster business case: a slightly detuned 911 engine in a more accessible mid-engined chassis.
However, another critical question arises: how does Porsche plan to homologate a new combustion-engined sports car well into the 2030s, given the EU’s GSR2 regulations effectively killed off the current ICE 718?
While a ‘small series’ exemption exists for up to 1500 non-compliant vehicles per year, it is an unlikely solution because Porsche’s volumes – even for niche “top-version” models – would quickly exceed that limit. The more plausible answer is that Porsche will need to invest in fully updating the ICE 718 to meet GSR2 – another likely reason for keeping costs down elsewhere, such as during production.
Alongside the new ICE 718s, Porsche’s K1 flagship will now be launched with combustion and plug-in hybrid power only, replacing the planned electric set-up. No launch date has been given. The K1 EV was first announced in 2022, along with plans for the thirdgeneration Panamera and second-generation Taycan, and was due to arrive in 2027 or 2028.
The new K1 will join the recently announced ‘M1’, a replacement for the ICE Macan that was axed last year. The M1 will be twinned with the third-generation Audi Q5 and, like the K1, will be offered with combustion and plug-in hybrid variants.
Despite the announcements, Blume IMAGE said the company is still committed to electrification: “They excite a specific and growing customer group.”
Indeed, Porsche is about to launch the new Cayenne Electric, which is based on the VW Group’s 800V PPE architecture, and already sells Macan and Taycan EVs.
Porsche said the combined circumstances will cut its predicted net profi t margin to around 2% this year but it forecast a return to growth in the “medium term”, when it planned to grow margins back above 10% with the new products rolling out.
Blume said: “This flexibility gives us a strong position with a compelling mix of combustion engines, plug-in hybrids and battery-electric vehicles.”
