Porsche won’t produce petrol-powered versions of its upcoming electric 718 successor after all, but it will build a new mid-engined, combustion-powered hypercar.
The German automaker had confirmed in September 2025 it would add “top ICE [internal combustion engine] derivatives for new 718”, among other future product plans which included a petrol and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) mid-size SUV to more directly replace the previous Macan, and a new flagship SUV that would be launched with petrol and PHEV power.
But these petrol-powered 718 Boxster and Cayman models don’t appear in the German brand’s new strategy announced this week, dubbed Sportwagenschmiede ‘35, which outlines only electric versions due in 2027.
Motor1 reports word from Porsche’s corporate communications boss, Matthias Rauter, who said the ICE 718 derivatives were never actually confirmed for a comeback.
As for the Mission S hypercar concept, Porsche says it will “provide a preview of a potential mid-engined super sports car platform” on October 15.
It has released a short teaser video, though it shows little besides a pair of 911-like headlights.
Unlike previous Porsche concepts with the Mission name – the 2015 Mission E, which previewed the Taycan, and the 2023 Mission X, an electric hypercar – the Mission S appears set to feature a combustion engine.
Indeed, Porsche has watered down its EV goals, which as recently as 2024 called for battery-electric vehicles to account for more than 80 per cent of its sales by 2030. Now it now has a mid-term ambition of ICE and PHEV vehicles to outnumber EVs by two-to-one.
Elsewhere in the Porsche lineup, the aforementioned petrol/PHEV mid-size SUV likely to share its platform with the Audi Q5 will be launched in 2028 and offered alongside the electric Macan.
Separately, Porsche now says it’s merely “exploring the possibility” of an extra-large SUV to sit above the Cayenne, despite such a model seemingly being a done deal. As mentioned before, this will support petrol, PHEV and electric power.
Across the wider lineup, Porsche is targeting a 20 per cent reduction in model variants, which it believes will increase the sales volume per model variant by about 30 per cent in the medium term.
It’s also placing greater focus on its more expensive models – those in the so-called D/E segments, including the 911 and Panamera – with the medium-term goal of increasing their share of total Porsche sales by 45 per cent. They currently account for around 32 per cent of its sales.
For context, Porsche splits up its current and upcoming models across four segments: B+, comprising the 718 and Macan; C, consisting of the Taycan and Cayenne; D, denoting the 911, Panamera and the proposed flagship SUV; and E, for the upcoming hypercar.
Porsche’s revised strategy, developed under new CEO (and former McLaren boss) Michael Leiters, is intended to turn the brand around after its operating income fell 93 per cent in 2025 amid weak demand in China and tariffs in the US.
It’s aiming for a 10-15 per cent return on sales in the medium term (with a strategic long-term target of 15 per cent), compared to 1.1 per cent in 2025, while lowering its break-even point to 200,000 annual units. Porsche sold 279,449 vehicles worldwide last year, compared with 310,718 in 2024, and 320,221 in its record sales year of 2023.
Cost-saving measures will include a 20 per cent reduction in sales and distribution costs, and a 40 per cent reduction in management positions in the mid-term, plus a 10 per cent reduction in individual material costs for new vehicle projects.
