Porsche’s Electric 718 Is Suddenly In Doubt, Audi Could Pay The Price

Porsche is kicking off the year with more than just a calendar flip. The company has a new CEO, Michael Leiters, and almost immediately, big plans are back on the table, including the future of the all-electric 718 Boxster and Cayman.

That alone would be a major U-turn. But the ripple effect could be even bigger. Fresh reports suggest Audi’s upcoming Concept C sports car might be in serious trouble, possibly scrapped before it ever reaches production.

Leiters has reportedly launched a deep review of Porsche’s business as sales slide in China, and profits come under pressure. One project raising eyebrows is the electric 718, which has struggled with delays, rising costs, and a major headache: batteries. Porsche was relying on Swedish supplier Northvolt, but its bankruptcy has left the program scrambling for alternatives (none of them cheap).

According to German outlet Handelsblatt, replacing that battery supply could push costs up sharply. Some insiders say the issue should’ve been addressed much earlier, and frustration inside the company is growing. Bloomberg reports Porsche is now openly questioning whether the electric Cayman and Boxster make financial sense at all.

That uncertainty puts Audi in an awkward spot. CEO Gernot Döllner has tied much of Audi’s future to a new halo sports car, known internally as Concept C — a model rumored to bring back the TT name and reshape Audi’s design language. The problem? It’s built on the same EV platform Porsche developed for the electric 718.

If Porsche walks away, Audi either drops the project or takes over development itself. Insiders say that could cost Audi hundreds of millions, with no guarantee of hitting its original 2027 launch target. Waiting for VW Group’s next SSP platform isn’t much help either, since that’s not expected before 2028.

All this is happening as Porsche deals with falling Taycan sales in China, new tariffs in the U.S., and a sharp downgrade in Chinese sales forecasts - from 100,000 units to as low as 30,000 by 2026. The brand has already closed over a third of its dealerships there.

Audi, meanwhile, has already put Concept C in the spotlight, calling it a symbol of the brand’s rebirth. Whether that vision survives Porsche’s belt-tightening is the real question. For now, both brands are playing it cool. Porsche says no final calls have been made, and Audi isn’t talking. Behind the scenes, though, the stakes are clearly high - and time isn’t on anyone’s side.

Source of spy photo: Carscoops