Yes, you read that right. The German carmaker is committing well over half a billion dollars into the conversion of a facility that will eventually churn out Porsche Cayman and Boxster EV models. It is part of a broader strategy where Porsche expects at least 80% of its vehicles sold globally to be partially or fully electric by 2030. This massive capital investment is proof that Porsche is pulling out all the stops in making this a reality. The funds will be primarily channelled towards the conversion of the existing Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen plant, where the 718 sports cars are currently being built.
Porsche has another EV factory in the same area. That one cost well over a billion dollars and took about 48 months to build. It is currently used to manufacture the Taycan models. Judging by how successful the car has been, this seems to have been money well spent. Porsche will be highly confident heading in this new direction as more cars in the lineup become electrified.
The current-generation 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman models are best-in-class sports cars, built around an exceptional flat-six powerplant that really elevates the driving experience. However, Porsche’s Mission R concept and now news of Porsche’s latest investment in EV are signs that this may be the last 718 generation with an internal combustion engine. There have been reports that state that the all-new electric 718 sports car will debut around 2025. It certainly looks feasible now. Here’s hoping the carmaker can leverage on the success of the Taycan, and knowing Porsche, we wouldn’t bet against them.
As if killing the driver engagement in it’s cars wasn’t enough, now they’re driving in the final nail in the coffin. I think Porsche has lost it big time after 2012. No matter how fast the new ones go but they lack the driver engagement of the 997 gen. Volkswagen actually killed this brand the moment they took charge of Porsche. No matter what fancy ways they market their cars now but all their models post 997/987 gen are big compromises and MISSING the following:
1. Hydraulic Steering of 997/987
2. Long Travel Brakes of 997/987
3. ‘Hand’ brake of 997/987
4. Short Wheelbase (Nimbleness) of 997/987
5. Sports car Dimensions of 997/987
6. Raw feel of 997/987
7. True & Realtime feedback of 997/987
8. Analog buttons with tactile feedback of 997/987
9. Analog dials and gauge cluster of 997/987
10. Better Visibility (Low Shoulder Lines) of 997/987
11. Pinky Lai Design and killer looks of the 997/987
Oh did I mention that 997/987 was the last gen of Porsche that was a TRUE SPORTS CAR? Post that VW took over Porsche and replaced everything with VW/Audi components and their greed for profits killed all the essential elements that make a Porsche a PORSCHE. Now they only make ‘Luxury Tourers’ disguised as Sports cars and there are rich dummies who buy them thinking they bought a sports car, lol. #ShameOnPorsche!
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