Autocar says that Porsche is trying to change the base for the next 718 Boxster and Cayman models so that they can use combustion engines. Porsche had planned to make only electric vehicles in its 718 line, but when it announced combustion RS models in September, it went against that plan. If they made this choice, they would take a whole new approach. Porsche hasn’t told anyone which engine will be used, but it might be Porsche’s 4.0-liter flat-six. A new Autocar story says Porsche is improving the architecture of its next-generation 718 vehicles so they can use combustion engines. The company had already planned for the 718 series to return with only electric engines, but this move is the final step in a major change. The choice wasn’t made by chance. At the time, the company only said it wanted to make the best RS models, but in September, Porsche said it would keep the combustion engine in the racing car. It is assumed that the generation that is leaving will build those vehicles. According to Autocar, senior corporate officials have revealed plans to add combustion to the full lineup for the next generation. According to the news source, Porsche aims to develop the PPE Sport platform for electric vehicles only, which will serve as the base for the new lineup. This would let them build a version with the engine in the middle and make it work with the electric system. It will be very hard to keep the EV’s speed up while making the changeover. Because the PPE Sport platform wasn’t meant to include a central tunnel, a gas tank, an exhaust system, or fuel lines, Porsche will have to make space for these things in the current design. Engineers will need to figure out how to make the platform rigid again after the floor-mounted battery Porsche planned to use for the electric 718s was removed. Of course, since Porsche hasn’t said anything about it, we don’t know which engine or engines will be in the next model. Before, the car company said that Europe’s strict emissions laws forced them to drop the naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six engine. But if the rules are made less strict, they might get it back.
