It’s been 75 years since the first Porsche model rolled off the production line – the iconic 356. Now, Porsche is set to announce some big news as part of its birthday celebrations.
During a presentation on 8 June 2023, the German sports car maker will announce a new concept vehicle, but what exactly could this be?
Perhaps the electric 911, or the Macan EV?
The freshly-announced Porsche 718 Spyder RS
Although the Macan EV is in the works, it’s more likely that the next big Porsche model reveal will be an electric replacement for the current 718 range of Caymans and Boxsters.
The story to now – an electric 718 replacement
Over a year ago, Chasing Cars reported on findings that it was highly likely that the next generation of Boxster and Cayman would be electrified by 2025.
The Porsche 718 GT4 E performance concept track car
Meanwhile, reports circulated in the media around that time that it was unlikely that Porsche would pursue major electrification of its iconic 911 nameplate, despite what is undoubtedly an inevitable long-term outcome.
We’ve seen electric concept vehicles such as the Mission R and the 718 GT4 E Performance race car as clear evidence that Porsche is working in the electrified space for a future model.
Indeed, the legendary 918 Spyder hypercar, released a decade ago this year, was and remains a landmark 652kW/1280Nm plug-in hybrid road car.
Porsche has electrified cars before with the 918 Spyder
Porsche has promised to electrify at least 80 percent of its lineup by 2030, but if it isn’t the 911 to go electric next, the only option really is the 718 platform.
A quick history recap on the Porsche brand
Porsche has come a long way since its beginnings 75 years ago. Owned by the Volkswagen Group, Porsche initially produced military tanks towards the end of World War 2, but soon made its first car, the 356, based on Volkswagen Beetle underpinnings.
The Porsche 911 is a classic sports car and probably always will be
Porsche’s iconic model, the 911, first entered production in 1964, some 14 years after Porsche first built the 356. It is the longest running model in the company’s history.
In the 1970’s, Porsche created its first mid-engined car – the 914 – which was later replaced by the first front-engine Porsche, the 924.
The Porsche 928 tried to replace the 911 but failed
Porsche would later release its first front-engined V8 car, the 928, that entered production in 1978 as a (failed) replacement for the 911.
However, the 911 still managed to outlive all of these models. Since that time, Porsche introduced the mid-engined Boxster roadster and Cayman coupe, the Cayenne SUV, the Macan small SUV, the Panamera sports wagon and the fully-electric Porsche Taycan.