Porsche and Audi’s new-generation electric sports cars could be joined by internal combustion siblings as both Volkswagen Group prestige and performance brands walk back commitments to EV exclusivity.
The replacements for the mid-engine two-seat Porsche 718 Boxster convertible and Cayman coupe are due to launch as soon as 2026 with electric powertrains.
The Audi Concept C unveiled last week, is destined for production in 2027 as an EV-only model.
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Both the Porches and the Audi are based on the new Porsche PPE electric architecture.
Sources familiar with the situation told Ev Authority that expanding the 718 Boxster and Cayman replacement programs to include ICE was a live issue within Porsche with no decision yet made.
The current ICE 718 models have ended production.
Senior Porsche and Audi executives quizzed about their future sports car programs and the potential for ICE making an appearance were non-committal during a Volkswagen Group event at the Munich motor show.
“We are working on the EV,” said Porsche vice president product lines 911 and 718 Frank Moser.
“We decided to go the electric way on the 718 and there we are working on it and I think it’s not really the wrong decision.
“You could be aware this car is going to be really, really brilliant because it’s light, powerful and that’s a combination for a two-door sports car believe me.”
Meanwhile, Audi CEO Gernot Dollner was only a little more revealing moments after presenting the Concept C sports car.
“On this car [Concept C], I can definitely say it will be only all-electric. But, talking about other segments, we will bring in the next years hybrid cars,” he said.
Asked if he meant other sports car segments, Dollner shut down:
“Today, we are focussing on the Concept C and everything else is over to your speculation.”
The Concept C is midway in size between the defunct Audi TT and R8 sports cars, so there is scope for an ICE return if Audi wants to do it.
Porsche and Audi both made a major commitment to go hard and early on EVs, but have reversed their positions to extend ICE powertrain lifespans as electric vehicle uptake remains stubbornly low.
Porsche profits have nosedived globally on the back of its EV commitment.
It would make sense for the Cayman and Boxster replacements to add ICE, as these two models form a buyer pathway to the resolutely petrol-burning 911 sports flagship.
Reinforcing the potential for a new mid-engined combustion generation, Porsche has already reversed its decision on the Macan SUV, which will add an ICE sibling in 2028.
The Europe-based Australian journalist Greg Kable recently broke further details of the plan in Autocar, reporting the new model has been codenamed M1 and would be twinned with the third generation Audi Q5 that’s just gone on-sale in Australia.
Controversially, it will retain the standard Audi Ultra all-wheel drive system’s tune, making the M1 the first Porsche with a front-wheel drive bias.
The first generation Macan was also twinned with Q5, but had its own rear-wheel drive-biased AWD system.
While Moser avoided talking about a potential ICE version of the incoming 718 replacement, he was happy to talk about how good the EV versions will be.
“Believe me, it’s going to be a really great car because on a two-door sports car … we need to keep the weight down and that’s what we will do,” he promised.
“And then believe me, it’s going to be a really, really good combination on the EV with a two-door sports car which is as light as possible.”
Meanwhile, Dollner confirmed the Concept C would offer the choice of a pseudo-gearbox, something Porsche has ruled out from its cars.
“It’s a fun to drive performance car, sporty, lightweight, just fun to drive,” he said.
“And we will have both, the customer can choose, we will have silent driving and we will also have virtual gearboxes and stuff like that to even more emotionalise driving.”
