PORSCHE is bidding ‘verabschiedung’ to two of its most iconic models – with no replacements lined up.
Logic suggests both will eventually gain electric counterparts, but the German giants have yet to reveal any details on their possible successors.
GettyThe Porsche 718 Cayman (pictured) and Boxster, two legendary sports cars, are set to bid farewell as production ends in October[/caption] GettyPorsche continues to focus on its hybrid and gas-powered vehicles, including the Cayenne SUV and Panamera sedan, to meet evolving market demands[/caption] GettyThe all-electric Porsche Taycan and Macan represent the brand’s venture into the EV market[/caption] GettyThe Boxster, first launched in 1996, played a pivotal role in saving the company during tough financial times[/caption]For now, fans will be forced to mourn the loss of two of Porsche’s finest sports cars on sale – as production of the 718 Cayman and Boxster models are set to end in October.
Speaking to Road & Track, Frank Wiesmann, product communications manager for Porsche Cars North America, said: “Production for all current 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman variants, including RS models, is scheduled to end in October of this year.”
The news marks the first time in over 25 years that Porsche won’t offer the Boxster or Cayman model once production ends.
The first-generation Boxster, which debuted in 1996, truly helped Porsche become the financial juggernaut it is today.
In the late 1990s, the firm was struggling due to a recession combined with their uncompetitive lineup of aging models – which led to dwindling sales that pushed them to the brink of ruin.
But the release of the Boxster changed that, and Porsche were able to sell 7,500 cars in the US and Canada and by 1997, that number had nearly doubled.
20 years later, in 2017, that number topped 54,000.
Today, the Boxster is considered one of the most successful but controversial sports cars to hit the market in recent times.
Over the years, Porsche purists have taken its water-cooled, mid-engine layout as an affront to the brand’s iconic rear-engine, then-air-cooled 911.
But the supporters often praise the first-gen Boxster for its superb driving dynamics that defined its category, while the windfall from the release of the Boxster allowed Porsche to make changes that put the company on the path to long-term success.
Asked if there will be a special-edition iteration built to mark the final run of cars, Wiesmann said: “In terms of special models, the 718 Style Edition variants as well as the 718 Spyder RS both represented a kind of tribute to celebrate the approaching conclusion of this generation.”
Either way, drivers eyeing a brand new Boxster or Cayman will have to act quickly, as in October the production line grinds to a halt.
PLUG PULLED
The arrival of the Boxster and Cayman’s electric replacements – which have long been on the cards – may take some time to be fully formed.
On some part, this may be due to the fact that the German marque has started to backtrack on their EV policy following waning sales.
The brand‘s current range of EVs includes the all-electric Taycan and the recently-released electric powered Macan – but they have admitted they’re looking to recommit to the development of gas-powered cars.
According to a report in November, Porsche begun to experience sales stagnation with their EVs, selling just 3,394 units of the Taycan through the third quarter of 2024 – a 35% decline on the previous year.
What’s more, in China, Porsche’s overall sales slid by 29% in September.
Porsche’s CFO Lutz Meschke said: “There is a clear trend in the premium luxury segment in the direction of combustion-engine cars, therefore we will react in our product cycle.”
On the decline in China, which is an important market for Porsche, Meschke added: “We see steep ramp-up curves for the BEVs in China, but luxury is still missing within the segment.”
To this end, Porsche will now refocus its efforts on developing their internal-combustion powertrains, which will include the continuation of their gas-powered versions of the Cayenne SUV and Panamera sedan.
Meschke added: “We are currently looking at the possibility of the originally planned all-electric vehicles having a hybrid drive or a combustion engine.
“We are currently in the middle of making conceptual decisions. What is clear is that we are sticking with the combustion engine for much longer.”
Porsche have utilized hybrid power for many of their models for years, but it was in 2019 that they finally released their first fully-electric vehicle – the Taycan.
Since then, they’ve been seen as one of the motoring world’s biggest pioneers of electric cars running alongside their gas-powered models.
Cars being discontinued for 2025 and 2026
Dozens of cars won't make it to the 2025 model year, including sedans, some SUVs, and sports cars.
Cars that are on the chopping block for next year are:
Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio (sedan) Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio (SUV) Audi A4 (sedan) Audi A5 Coupe/Cabrio (2-door sedan) BMW X3M (SUV) BMW M8 Coupe Bugatti Chiron Chevrolet Camaro Chevrolet Malibu Ferarri SF90 Stradale Ferarri 812 GTS Fisker Ocean (EV) Ford Escape Ford Edge Ford Transit Trail Infiniti Q50 Jaguar XE and XF sedans Jaguar F-Type Jaguar I-Pace electric SUV and E-Pace Lamborghini Huracán Maserati Ghibli Mitsubishi Mirage Mini Clubman Nissan Altima Nissan GT-R Nissan Titan Ram 1500 TRX Toyota Supra (4-cylinder) Toyota Venza Volvo S60 Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Porsche discontinues two iconic models with no replacements lined up – they were brand’s ‘entry level’ cars )
Also on site :