There’s quite a stir in the automotive industry as automakers move toward an all-electric future. While automakers are quick to tout the benefits, electric vehicles are still relatively foreign to most drivers. Can a car that relies on electricity deliver the same caliber of performance as a gas-powered vehicle? If not, where does that leave legendary icons like the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Corvette, Dodge Charger, and Dodge Challenger? With Dodge recently halting production of the gas-powered Charger and Challenger, the grumblings about an all-electric roadmap have reached a new level.
While the concerns are valid, it’s critical that we don’t ignore the potential that EVs offer. Sure, it’s easy to abide by the motto, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” However, that mindset maintains the status quo and minimizes our innate need to evolve. I’d argue even Henry Ford experienced backlash when he introduced the Model T in the 1900s. Why replace the trusty steed when it was doing a fine job? Because evolution is critical, and we’re always looking for something more. One of the best examples of this evolution requires looking at the upcoming Porsche EVs what the iconic brand has in store for enthusiasts looking to join the all-electric revolution.
The German manufacturer renowned for its high-performance cars has jumped on the EV bandwagon. Moreover, the company hasn’t simply jumped on board but is leading the foray by proving EVs can live up to the legendary performance expected of the Porsche name. Of course, that begs the question, “If a high-end automaker like Porsche can do it and make drivers happy, can everyone else?” Here’s how Porsche is expanding its EV lineup over the next few years, promising an 80% electric fleet guaranteed to impress by 2030.
The Macan EV
The Macan might have been a little late to the party when it joined the compact crossover SUV segment in 2014, but it immediately proved it was legions beyond rivals. As expected of a Porsche, the Macan instantly turned heads as an SUV with the heart of a sports car and the design to match. The Macan EV will continue that legacy, exchanging its 2.0L four-cylinder turbo and 2.9L twin-turbo V6 engines for an all-electric powertrain. Will the Macan EV maintain its reputation as a sports car disguised as an SUV?
The Macan EV will officially debut in 2024, but the industry is overrun with spoilers and rumors about the anticipated powerhouse. Porsche’s upcoming SUV will sit on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE), which the automaker developed with Audi. The configurable platform translates to outstanding versatility, with Porsche anticipated to offer the Macan EV as a rear-wheel-drive model or with all-wheel drive and dual motors. Those dual motors allegedly have the potential to deliver over 600 hp and nearly 740 lb-ft of instant torque, which positions the Macan EV to outperform its GTS gas-powered sibling that relies on a twin-turbo V6 to produce 383 lb-ft of torque.
The 718 EV
Porsche’s iconic 718 will also get the all-electric treatment, with the sports car expected to debut in 2025. The 718 EV will eventually replace the 718 Cayman and 718 Boxster, with Porsche phasing out its gas-powered speed demons two years after the EV’s arrival. Of course, by then, the 718 EV will have proven its chops as a potent sports car capable of delivering more power than its predecessors.
Rumors about the 718 EV are plentiful, but confirmed details are not. All we know is that the 718 EV will sit on Porsche’s newly developed sports car platform, which will reduce its weight to heighten performance. While details are scarce, the current 718 lineup may offer insights into the future EV. For example, Porsche will likely offer a rear-motor option as the base model and something comparable to the famed GTS trim for those looking for exceptional performance, all-wheel drive capability, and incredible off-the-line acceleration.
The Cayenne EV
Porsche sent everyone into an uproar in 2003 when it debuted its flagship SUV, the Cayenne. Many wondered how an automaker renowned for building high-performance cars would fare with an SUV. Wasn’t it sacrilegious? As it turns out, the Cayenne proves that even an SUV can deliver jaw-dropping performance, at least those with the revered Porsche name.
The Cayenne EV continues the trend and is anticipated to debut in 2026 as the midsize complement to the compact Macan EV. As a family-friendly SUV, the Cayenne EV will likely share the same comforts, conveniences, functional features, and innovative technologies. However, Porsche is expected to up the ante by including a high-performance GTS trim. Porsche also promises that the Cayenne EV will offer automated driver technologies that match its position as an all-electric powerhouse and modern marvel.
An Unnamed Full-Size EV
With a compact and midsize SUV in its lineup, it only seems fitting that Porsche’s upcoming EVs will include a full-size SUV. However, don’t expect the unnamed model to resemble other family-friendly haulers. Instead, Porsche is determined to raise the bar again, teasing the seven-seat SUV will share many features with the revolutionary Mission R electric racecar revealed in 2022.
The Mission R racecar took the track in 2022, roaring to life as its electric powertrain produced up to 1,073 hp for a 0 to 60 mph launch in less than 2.5 seconds and a top speed north of 186 mph. Porsche outdid itself with the Mission R, with the prototype also boasting a 900-volt electric architecture capable of recharging the battery from 5% to 80% in 15 minutes. While we can’t see a full-size SUV promising this launch time, Porsche’s biggest SUV will likely share the 900-volt electric system and offer plenty of jaw-dropping capability.
While Porsche hasn’t officially named the SUV, company CEO Oliver Blume promises it will be a “new vehicle concept” with exceptional performance and cutting-edge automated driving features that transform every experience behind the wheel. Blume confirmed the SUV would sit on the SSP Sport platform, which belongs to Porsche’s parent company, Volkswagen Group. The SSP Sport, short for Scalable Systems Platform, will give the Porsche SUV a distinct advantage because of its versatility and compatibility with Level 4 autonomous driving technology. In short, it gives Porsche an opportunity to build a full-size SUV with hands-free driving capabilities and other technologies that ensure it can compete with segment leaders like Tesla.
The Elephant in the Room
Porsche’s upcoming EVs are promising, but ignoring the elephant in the room is impossible. Porsche is owned by Volkswagen Auto Group, meaning the companies share everything from platforms to technologies. And therein lies the concern.
Volkswagen’s software issues surrounding the SSP Sport have kept the automaker in the headlines, delaying Volkswagen’s “Project Trinity,” which was intended to introduce the platform and give the red light to Porsche’s Macan EV. Porsche is obviously suffering from these software issues but is diligent about fulfilling its promise to offer an 80% EV lineup by 2030. Recently, Porsche confronted these concerns by announcing its plans to establish a Car-IT department headed by Sajjad Khan, the former digital chief at Daimler.
Will creating an IT department be enough? Will EV models like the Macan, Cayenne, and 718 see the light of day? They’re valid questions only time can answer. However, if Porsche succeeds, the automaker once again proves its ingenuity and that even a high-performance automaker is willingly jumping on the all-electric bandwagon to defy the odds and demonstrate the need for speed isn’t solely satiated by fuel.
