Electric powertrains often put a lot of the car’s weight low and between the wheels, which would radically change the 911’s driving characteristics. Part of the 911’s appeal is not only the engine itself but also where it’s located: at the rear. Porsche is in no hurry to electrifying the 911 because it’ll likely run into packaging issues. It should certainly enhance the driving experience.
Blume let slip that the company is already working on hybridising the 911, likening it to the setup in the Porsche 919. However, that doesn’t mean the company will keep batteries entirely away. Porsche boss Oliver Blume told that the 911 would keep its combustion engine for the next decade. A new report got the German automaker on the record about its plans to electrify its lineup, specifically, its plans for the iconic 911. For some, the reckoning will come sooner rather than later as they begin the transition to producing only EVs, but not all are rushing. But EVs are silent, forcing automakers to create an artificial, less enthusiastic stand-in. Combustion engines have been integral to the sports car experience, providing the raucous soundtrack to more than a century of motoring. +++ Electrification poses a problem for sports cars. Now that customers have made it clear that driving pleasure and emotion are important parts of a Porsche purchase, the EV version of the 718 must also be better to drive. After learning this tough lesson, I am sure Porsche would not change to an EV drivetrain simply because it’s better on paper. Although the new engine had better performance and emissions on paper, it lacked the emotion and engagement of the old flat-6 which caused Porsche to offer a special edition 718 that has a 4.0-litre flat-6. When the current generation Porsche 718 debuted, it shook up the Porsche world thanks to the introduction of its downsized 4 cylinder turbocharged boxer engine which replaced the familiar flat-6. With the rapidly evolving world of battery tech that’s not to say that things will change in a few years, but based on the current situation we can expect the next generation 718 to retain its internal combustion engine.
So, what will determine the propulsion future for the 718 successors? Blume explained: “EV or ICE depends on whether the battery will be good enough to make a proper sports car. Working within the 911’s shadow isn’t exactly fair and Porsche knows this, which is why every year the performance of the 718 edges closer to its rear-engine big brother. The Porsche 718 occupies an interesting part of the Porsche line-up where it’s meant to be more affordable than a 911 and although its mid-engine layout is superior, it cannot outperform the 911. Based on his statements, powertrains can range from an all-electric setup or a more efficient internal combustion engine. In a recent interview, CEO Oliver Blume shared that a new 718 is coming, but it will take a couple of years to hit dealer lots because they haven’t even decided how it will be powered. +++ There’s a new Porsche 718 on the horizon but nobody knows how it will be powered.
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