First look at the electric 2025 Porsche 718 Boxster

Porsche engineers have been busy trying to disguise the new-generation 718 Boxster, removing the full-width tail-lights and hiding some key body lines – but it’s the fake centre exhaust pipe that actually provides the greatest clue to the car’s electric propulsion.

The prototype appears to have active aerodynamics at the front, with large air intakes in the bumper appearing to house flaps which can open or close to aid with downforce and cooling of vehicle components.

The German carmaker has previously confirmed it was moving the 718 range to battery power with the new generation – referred to internally by its codename ‘983’ – with reports from early 2022 also hinting at all-wheel drive for the Boxster convertible and its Cayman coupe sibling.

Previously leaked information from Porsche dealerships in the US to publication Car and Driver point to at least 400km of claimed driving range, with a target of approximately 1650kg for the new model.

While Porsche previewed the future of the 718 range with the Mission R – a battery-powered racing car concept with peak power of 800kW – it’s unlikely the production models will offer anywhere near that level of performance.

The company is said to be working on replicating the praised driving dynamics of the mid-engined 718 range, positioning the heavy batteries behind the occupants to replicate the weight distribution of the current car.

“It’s the same reason why a lot of super-sports cars today have a mid-engine design, with the engine behind the driver,” Porsche development boss Michael Steiner told the UK’s Autocar in 2021.