At this early stage, Porsche isn’t talking kilowatt hours but vehicle layouts only: “our compact packaging approach enables the low seating position and authentic sports car feel expected from a Porsche,” says Dr Robert Meier, the company’s vice president of vehicle architecture and characteristics. 

The battery feeds the rear drive unit, which uses a single-speed transmission to spin the back axle. It’s overlaid with Porsche’s E-Shift system, freshly introduced on the Taycan sports saloon. This simulates a dual-clutch gearbox, stifling the torque – and the 981 Boxster GTS’ six-cylinder soundtrack – as Röhrl upshifts. Or owners can stick it in automatic mode and use the paddleshifts to control the regenerative braking instead.  

A silicon carbide inverter helps harvest energy under braking. Porsche is keeping power outputs under wraps, but this doesn’t feel like an EV with a meaningless, four-figure power output – if we had to guess, it’s probably in the 500-600bhp ballpark. Plenty enough to shift the electric Boxster’s circa-1,700kg kerbweight pretty damn effortlessly. 

We pull into the pitlane and I jump out, clocking rear brakes that are smoking beneath fake mid-engined vents forged by stickers. The fake-six ‘wob, wob, wobs’ at idle, then Röhrl is off again, taking the next journalist out for a brief taste. 

This crazy relay backs up Porsche’s claims that the electric Boxster just keeps on running. “High energy density and thermal robustness provide the foundation for repeatable performance,” says Dr Meier. “And the 800-volt system, together with intelligent thermal and charging management enables a fast and consistent charging experience.” 

But that’s all we know for now – apart from there categorically won’t be a combustion-powered version. The mid-engined electric two-seater goes on sale in 2027, and a fixed-head version will follow. Will they be numbered 718, or called Cayman and Boxster? I wouldn’t bet on it. 

Porsche’s new strategy calls for much higher price points, and the Boxster’s breakthrough tech will surely command a price in excess of £100,000. As much as Porsche loves its heritage, putting an old name on a hugely more expensive, leading-edge successor might send the wrong, outdated message. 

Now you can buy a car through our network of top dealers around the UK. Search for the latest deals…