Barely Disguised: All-Electric '27 Porsche Boxster
It's been nearly five years since the first sighting of the highly anticipated Porsche 718 Electric, which is due to launch in very late 2026 for the '27 model year. Codenamed 983, the zero-emission sports car has now been spotted again testing on the Nürburgring for the first time without camouflage.
The black prototype in these pictures is the Boxster. Up front, we can see a variety of active cooling slats inspired by those of the 992.2-phase 911 Carrera GTS and 911 Turbo S. Bang in the center of the front bumper, Porsche integrated the radar sensor that makes adaptive cruise control possible. The active flaps are dual-purpose units that manage cooling and aerodynamic efficiency. While stickers may attempt to disguise the front lights, the four-point DRL signature is evident.
Equipped with stylish dual-spoke black alloys that frame steel brakes, the 718 Boxster Electric prototype features a center-mounted charge door out back. The charging flap is located between the rear license plate and the full-width light bar that connects the slim taillights.
From the rear, we also notice that Porsche went for a nearly flat underbody to improve aerodynamics. Based on a 718-specific derivative of the Premium Platform Electric, the all-new 718 will surely launch with an 800-volt architecture and two drivetrain configurations.
The standard layout should be a rear-mounted electric drive unit, whereas the higher-performance specifications are believed to adopt dual-motor setups. Three or more would be overkill for this application, especially when you remember that its high-voltage battery weighs a lot more than a full tank of gasoline.
Prospective customers will further be presented with a techy interior that could offer an optional passenger-side touchscreen. At least one steering column-mounted paddle is certain to happen, although we look forward to a couple of paddles.
In lesser Porsche battery-electric vehicles, the left and right paddles increase and decrease the level of recuperation. But in the Taycan Turbo GT, the right paddle activates a performance mode that provides a temporary power boost.
Due to packaging constraints, the T-shaped battery of the 718 Electric Boxster and 718 Electric Cayman isn't likely to match that of the Taycan. Originally intended to be electric-only models, the 983-series 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman will also get internal-combustion options.
Porsche quietly confirmed this change of heart during the latest investor call. Because the PPE Sport architecture of the 983 wasn't developed with internal combustion in mind, it presently lacks the structural space for a six-pot boxer, a transmission, the fuel tank and the exhaust system.
Engineers are believed to be working on a new structural floor section that bolts perfectly into the mounting points of the full-electric platform, restoring the rigidity lost by removing the load-bearing battery pack. In any case, these internal-combustion 983s are certain to be priced higher than electric 983 models.
From Track to Road: The Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series
The future Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series is taking on an increasingly concrete form. Compared to the first prototypes, a great deal has changed with this high-performance model. While the early vehicles still bore a strong visual resemblance to hand-built GT3 racing cars, the current prototype already looks much closer to a production car developed for public roads.
Refined touches have been made practically all around the vehicle. The front, sides and rear feature numerous changes. At the front, the revised headlights are particularly striking. The rear lights now also feature a design that appears ready for series production.
AMG seems to have carried out particularly extensive work on the rear. The bumper, side skirts and the entire area around the diffuser have been modified compared to the first test vehicles. At the same time, the active rear spoiler has grown significantly and is therefore likely to play an important role not only visually but also aerodynamically. Another interesting new feature can be found on the rear window: a small fin is visible there for the first time. The doors and side windows have also been modified during the course of development.
Another interesting feature is the fuel filler flap on the passenger side, near the B-pillar. On earlier prototypes, this design still looked heavily inspired by motor racing. On the current prototype, it now gives a much more production-ready impression.
There is little doubt that AMG will not compromise on maximum performance with the upcoming Black Series. The numerous aerodynamic details and the visible links to motorsport suggest that the model will once again bring plenty of motorsport DNA to the road.
At the same time, the current stage of development makes it clear that AMG is evidently in an advanced phase of testing. The upcoming Black Series could therefore not only be a particularly radical model in terms of its appearance, but also set new standards in terms of driving dynamics. A world premiere is currently expected in early 2027. Until then, however, the Black Series is likely to complete a few more laps as a prototype––presumably with less and less camouflage.
Story and photos by Andreas Conradt, Automedia
