The new SUV, known as M1 within Porsche circles, is a successor to the ICE Macan, which was pulled from sale in mainland Europe in July 2024 after it failed to meet new cybersecurity rules. Production of the model for other global markets, including the UK, will end next summer.
The M1 will be twinned with the third-generation Audi Q5 and sit on the Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) architecture of the pair’s Volkswagen Group parent.
It will also adopt the similarly sized Q5’s Quattro Ultra drive system. But instead of heavily re-engineering it to offer a rear-biased four-wheel drive system – as Porsche did with the first Macan – it will instead be used largely unmodified for cost reasons.
So, unlike the outgoing ICE Macan’s Porsche Traction Management set-up, which is engineered to send most of its power to the rear wheels, drive in the M1 will primarily be sent to the front axle, with the rear wheels engaging only when sensors detect impending traction loss, marking a radical shift in Porsche’s engineering philosophy.
The SUV will form part of the company’s bid to counter stalling sales and profits. The Q5 tie-up will help the new five-seater to be fast-tracked through development in response to weaker than expected demand for the electric Macan (25,884 global sales in the first half of 2025) and a general softening in the global uptake of electric cars.
Porsche axes ICE 718 Cayman and Boxster ahead of EV comeback
Pair have been on sale since 2005 and 1996 respectively; electric replacements are due next year
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by Will Rimell
2 mins read
2 September 2025
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Porsche has axed the 718 Cayman and 718 Boxster sports cars – and there are no plans to create another ICE generation.
The German brand has stopped taking new car orders for the coupé and convertible ahead of planned end to production next year. Cars can still be ordered from stock and existing orders will be fulfilled.
The models have been an integral part of the Porsche line-up since 1996 and 2005 respectively, and the fourth-generation models have been in production since 2016.
They will be sold exclusively as electric cars when they return in 2026.
Recent speculation that suggested the decision to cease production of the ICE 718s could be reversed has been denied to Autocar by high-ranking Porsche sources.
The speculation followed Porsche’s new stance that it would adopt a more flexible product portfolio to extend the life of pure-combustion and hybrid models until well into the 2030s.
This has led to the creation of the incoming ICE Macan replacement and update for the Cayenne – cars that will sit alongside electric namesakes.
This, however, will not happen for the 718s. Instead, the badge will exclusively adorn EVs based on the Volkswagen Group’s new EV-specific PPE platform.
While technically unrelated, testing mules (pictured below) confirm the new cars will still be positioned similarly to the existing ICE versions in their size, styling and philosophy.
What’s more, Porsche R&D chief Michael Steiner previously told Autocar that they will be set up to feature motorsport-honed braking and handling to ensure they offer a “real sports car feeling”.
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The electric pair were originally due to go on sale this year and be built – albeit for a short time – alongside their ICE counterparts at Porsche’s Zuffenhausen factory. However, delays with engineering, software development and battery sourcing meant the launch date was pushed back.
