Porsche followed his Mission R concept with a functional electric prototype racer, as it prepares to turn the 718 Cayman and Boxstar into EVs.
The all-wheel drive 718 Cayman GT4 ePerformance packs 735kW of power from its dual-motor powertrain in its most powerful mode, or more sedate (better, comparatively) 450kW in a drive mode designed to allow 30 minutes of flat-out driving. .
The battery pack and electric motor are based on the concept car, which was borrowed from Taycan itself. Beneath the skin, however, it is built on the bones of the 718 Cayman GT4 ClubSport.
Porsche says the motor and battery packs are oil-cooled so that performance on the track does not deteriorate over a long period of time.
“With Mission R, we’ve shown how Porsche envisions sustainable customer motor racing in the future,” said Matthias Schulz, project manager for GT Racing vehicles.
“The 718 Cayman GT4 ePerformance now shows that this vision works impressively on the track.”
Porsche says a one-make series with these cars – essentially an electric Carrera cup – is on the card and could become a “significant addition” to its current customer racing range.
It’s not just race cars that are going electric; The next Boxstar and Cayman Road cars will also be battery-powered – but Porsche Promising they will share their driving DNA with the current car.
The brand has confirmed that current models, now based on a six-year-old platform, will be replaced by electrical equivalents in 2024 or 2025 – exactly when determined by emissions regulations.
More: Everything Porsche 718