Porsche brought electric power to its sports car lineup for the first time last year with the launch of the 911 GTS Hybrid, but that’s pretty mild compared with what’s about to happen to the 911’s Boxster and Cayman baby siblings. The two-seat coupe and roadster are ditching combustion technology altogether, and spy photographers have just snapped a couple of Cayman prototypes trialing their EV powertrains on and around the Nurburgring.

Related: Porsche 718 Cayman Electric Spied For First Time

Our scoop photo teams has spotted the Boxster several times before over the last couple of years and they snapped some grainy, long-lens pics of the Cayman on its first trip outdoors at the beginning of the year. But these fresh images are much sharper and show two cars with different wheel designs.

A Familiar Silhouette, Under New Power

Despite switching to an all-electric powertrain, the proportions of the new Cayman are very similar to those of today’s ICE-powered car. It still looks like a classic mid-engined junior supercar with a nose that dives towards the pavement and a sleek fastback tail. One of the great things about the ICE 718s is how practical they are thanks to having a trunk at either end, and we expect the EVs to carry on that tradition.

The set of pictures taken on the Nurburgring itself shows a small active spoiler at the base of the liftback hatch in a raised position. Directly below it in the center of the bumper is the charging flap for the battery that is mounted vertically behind the seats and will feature 800-volt tech. The nose features the same active cooling slats seen on the 911 GTS Hybrid and the disguise on the rear quarter window and lower quarter panel hides an upswept windowline and lower air intake, like on the Mission R concept.

Rear-Drive or All-Wheel Drive? You’ll Have Options

Images: Baldauf

Both single-motor, rear-wheel drive and dual-motor, all-wheel drive versions should be available when the Boxster and Cayman go on sale in 2026 as MY27 cars. Though the 911 has been available with AWD traction for 35 years, this will be the first time it’s been offered in the mid-engined, entry-level sports cars.

Porsche has partially put the brakes on its electrification plans due to slower-than-expected development of the electric market, and is extending the lifespan of combustion engines and re-engineering some still-secret new EVs to take ICE power. But the new 718 Boxster and Cayman were too far down the development path to be reconfigured with an ICE option in time for launch.

It’s possible Porsche could adapt them and introduce combustion options later, as Fiat is doing by turning its slow-selling 500e into a hybrid. Although global 718 sales were down in Q1, that was largely due to the car being dropped in Europe due to the same cybersecurity regulations that forced the demise of the old ICE Fiat 500. In the US, 718 sales almost doubled in the first three months of this year.

The Real Test: Handling Like a Porsche

Porsche is also reported to have been struggling to make the EV Cayman handle as well as the outgoing combustion car, a problem that might have led to pushing back the planned debut from 2025 to 2026 – and can only drive sales of the current 718. The automaker can’t afford to mess the handling up, because the Cayman Electric is going to face some stuff competition from the new Alpine A110 EV.

Images: Baldauf

Porsche has laid out its latest product roadmap during its 2025 annual conference, shedding light on the future of its lineup. The biggest news? Beyond reaffirming its commitment to a mix of combustion engines, plug-in hybrids, and all-electric drivetrains across its entire lineup well into the 2030s, the automaker is now considering adding a new gas-powered SUV to its roster. If approved, this model could join the Macan EV and Cayenne by the end of the decade.

A New SUV in the Works

The company said that it’s currently “evaluating an independent model line in the SUV segment” that would take advantage of existing “synergies”. Recent spy shots suggest this unnamed Porsche could share the Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) architecture with the next-generation Audi Q5. However, Porsche promises the new SUV will feature a distinct design with its signature styling, a more upscale interior, and a chassis setup tailored to its brand identity.

More: 2027 Porsche Cayenne Coupe Goes Electric In New Spy Shots

Earlier this year, Porsche considered offering a new generation of the ICE-powered Macan to join the Macan EV. However, these plans have been officially scrapped, and a new, standalone SUV being picked instead. Porsche has confirmed that the Macan will be sold exclusively as an EV, after the combustion-engined version will be phased out from the remaining markets.

The Future of Macan and Cayenne

As for the Cayenne, Porsche describes the upcoming fourth-generation of the mid-size SUV as a “completely newly developed and designed electric model.” The Cayenne EV will be sold alongside the current third-generation model, which will continue to be available in combustion and hybrid forms “well into the 2030s.” Spy shots confirm that the electric model will come in both SUV and coupe-SUV body styles. However, Porsche made no mention of the rumored flagship SUV, codenamed K1, which is expected to debut in 2028.

Electric 718 and a New 911 Flagship

Porsche also said that the highly anticipated electric successors to the 718 Boxster and Cayman will arrive sometime after the Cayenne EV, effectively confirming previous reports of a delay. The company also dropped a few hints about upcoming additions to the 911 lineup.

The recently refreshed 911 will soon gain a limited-edition “heritage” model from Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur, inspired by retro 1970s styling. Additionally, an all-new flagship 911 is in the works, described as a model that will “raise the bar even further” in the sports car segment – likely hinting a next-generation 911 GT2 RS.

2025 Forecast and Workforce Reductions

Porsche expects a challenging year ahead, citing increasing competition from China and geopolitical instability as key concerns. As a result, the company anticipates a drop in sales for 2025, falling below the 310,718 units delivered in 2024 – a figure that was already down 3% compared to the previous year. The company also estimates that electrified vehicles will make up 33–35% of total sales, with fully electric models accounting for 20–22%.

More: Porsche’s High Prices And Outdated Tech Are Killing Its Sales In China, Could It Happen Here?

To adapt to shifting market conditions, Porsche plans to invest an additional €800 million ($872 million) this year, focusing on product portfolio adjustments, software development, and battery technology advancements.

However, these changes come at a cost. As part of an ongoing restructuring effort, Porsche will eliminate around 1,900 jobs by 2029 through a “restrictive hiring policy” and other “socially acceptable measures.” Additionally, the company plans to reduce its global workforce by another 2,000 through the expiration of fixed-term employment contracts. A further structural overhaul is currently under negotiation, with details set to be announced in the second half of 2025.

Leadership Changes at Porsche

Porsche has also made key changes to its Executive Board. Dr. Jochen Breckner has taken over responsibility for Finance and IT, succeeding longtime executive Lutz Meschke. Meanwhile, Matthias Becker has stepped in as the new head of Sales and Marketing, replacing Detlev von Platen.