The first battery-electric Porsche 718 Cayman has been spied during testing, showing it will merge the design of the Taycan sedan with the brand's entry-level sports coupe.
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Images published by UK publication Auto Express show the electric Cayman wearing minimal camouflage, allowing us to see the core design of the all-electric fixed-roof 718 coupe for the first time.
Though there are small elements which hide the true looks of the Cayman (such as its B- to C-pillar shape), its headlights are straight from the design book of the Taycan, as is its full-width rear brake light.
It appears to also wear the same front bumper as its electric Boxster twin, which was spied last year, complete with what appear be active air intake flaps behind horizontal strakes.
The rear design also looks more like the Nissan Z than the current petrol-powered Cayman, with an extremely short overhang from the end of the glass to the lip spoiler.
While the pure-electric replacements for both the Cayman and Boxster were expected to debut in the coming months, Automobilwoche last month reported that Porsche's plans for the upcoming '983' generation are "well behind schedule", due to complex issues impacting the battery.
According to the publication, Porsche wants the battery to be in the middle of the vehicle – similar to the mid-engine placement in current models – however, this is reportedly causing headaches, leading to the carmaker requesting adjustments from battery-maker Valmet Automotive.
The battery supplier has reportedly "incurred significant additional costs due to the delay", which the outlet says Porsche isn't willing to cover in full or at all.
These delays could mean the electric 718 arrives in showrooms well after production of the current petrol-powered 982-generation model wraps up and stock runs out.
Final examples of the current 718 models are due to roll down the line between June and September 2025.
Australian production of the petrol-powered 718 has already concluded, with the final examples being built in September 2024.
Porsche Cars Australia says it has limited stock of the petrol-powered Boxster and Cayman across its dealer network.
Globally, Porsche hasn't set a due date for the electric 718, and the delays in Europe could mean we'll have to wait until 2026 or even 2027 to see it on local roads.
However, Porsche is reportedly rethinking its plan to make the Macan mid-sized SUV an electric-only model, and if it does similar with its new 718 twins there's a chance they might not be all-EV after all.
MORE: Everything Porsche 718
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
