A new electric Porsche SUV looks to be on the cards as part of wider EV-centric plans
Announcements made at Porsche’s annual Capital Markets Day have confirmed the firm’s plans to expand its model range and continue down the route of electrification as emissions targets loom and consumer tastes change. Speaking at the event at Porsche’s Research and Development Centre in Weissach, Germany, chairman of the executive board Oliver Blume summed up the brand’s continued successes – and outlined some forthcoming models, including a new electric Porsche SUV.
“We plan to add a new luxury, all-electric SUV model to our attractive portfolio, which will roll off the production line in Leipzig,” said Blume. “This will further expand our position in the luxury automotive segment. We are targeting the higher margin segments in particular and aim to tap into new sales opportunities in this way.”
The news came amid further confirmation of the brand’s aims for 80 per cent of its model output to be battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) by 2030, along with a ‘net carbon neutral value chain’ – with the next step being the introduction of an all-electric Porsche Macan set to join the Taycan (pictured) in the near future. Blume also confirmed that an electric version of the Porsche 718 is on the cards: “The Taycan is 100 per cent electric and 100 per cent Porsche. This combination excites people. We are pushing ahead with our electric offensive: by the middle of the decade, we want to offer our 718 mid-engine sports car exclusively in all-electric form,” he stated. An all-electric 718-style car was previewed in racing trim at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, dubbed the GT4 ePerformance; it’s likely this car offers a glimpse of what’s to come in showrooms in due course.
Porsche appears well-equipped to invest in its EV-led growth; it delivered 300,000 cars and generated 33.1 billion euros in 2021 despite the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, breaking its own records on both fronts. Porsche says that ‘expert studies’ see the luxury car market growing in coming years, with electric cars and SUVs leading the charge – so it’s not so surprising to see the firm doubling down in these areas.
Fans of the internal combustion engine shouldn’t despair, however; a hybrid Porsche 911 has reportedly been in development for some time and is likely to form part of the 20 per cent of non-BEVs in Porsche’s grand plan.
