Porsche Plans to Sell Natural Gas Cars ‘Well into the Next Decade’

It’s been four years since Porsche projected electric vehicles would account for more than 80 percent of its sales by the end of the decade. Despite only reaching 2026, the target has been abandoned as electric cars did not gain the traction expected in early 2022. Last year, vehicles without combustion engines accounted for 22.2 percent of total deliveries.

Even with the electric Cayenne out, the initial goal of 80 percent feels like grasping at straws. Porsche is no longer pursuing lofty EV goals, instead committing long term to the combustion engine. Plans for a new combustion-engined crossover have been announced as a replacement for the first-generation Macan.

The larger three-row SUV will launch first with ICE power, and the next-generation Cayenne with petrol and hybrid engines is also coming soon. More importantly for enthusiasts, the 718 Cayman and Boxster will return with combustion engines. As for the 911, there was never an announcement about using electricity. In fact, Porsche once said the 911 would go down in history as the company’s last gas-powered car.

In the future, Porsche has no intention of abandoning ICE. Talk with Auto Express magazine, Cayenne product boss Ralf Keller revealed the Zuffenhausen-based luxury brand intends to stick with gas engines into the 2030s: “We plan to have both combustion engines and hybrids [available] well into the next decade.”

The Cayenne will likely be the first of a new wave of ICE products. The current combustion-powered generation has been around since 2017, with a facelift introduced in 2023. Logically, a replacement will arrive in the next few years. Meanwhile, the electric 2027 Cayenne will remain an electric car, as it will not be modified to accommodate petrol and electric engines.

Keller suggested Porsche could use the Premium Platform Combustion architecture developed with Audi. PPC will support the successor to the original Macan, which will once again be mated to the Audi Q5. The previously mentioned three-row large SUV is also expected to use this architecture, meaning it will bear some similarities to the upcoming Q9.

Photo by: Brian Silvestro / Motor1

The next Cayenne may also be closely related to Audi’s model, namely the third-generation Q7, which will arrive later this year alongside the larger Q9. PPE is a follow-up to the MLB Evo architecture, with a greater focus on hybrids and an improved electrical architecture, opening the door to more advanced technology.

As for sports cars, the Boxster and Cayman will most likely remain Porsche products. However, the electric 718 model will be connected to Audi, as the beautiful C targa concept car unveiled next year will use the same platform.

In an interview with European Automotive NewsPorsche CEO Michael Leiters suggested deeper collaboration with the brand from Ingolstadt: “Audi is our main partner. We want to further exploit our mutual potential.”

Both Porsche and Audi will have to align their product strategies for combustion engine cars depending on regional legislation. Although the European Union has scrapped the ban on the sale of new ICE cars by 2035, it still wants automakers to reduce CO₂ emissions by 90 percent compared to emission levels in 2021. It will be a big task for the two luxury brands of the VW Group to comply.

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Source: Brian Silvestro / Motor1

Motorcycle Pickup1: Since abandoning its 2030 target, Porsche has taken steps in the right direction. Having a partner in Audi will also help to speed up development and limit costs through economies of scale. With sales dropping by 10 percent in 2025 after a three percent decline the previous year, new models can’t come soon enough.

The Macan ICE replacement is by far the most important in terms of volume. The first-generation crossover will retire in the middle of this year, but its replacement won’t be ready until 2028. The new Cayenne and flagship SUV are also expected to be available before the end of the decade.

The return of gas-powered sports cars is unlikely to bring change, but will help improve Porsche’s image after production of the ICE-powered 718 model ended last year. The Macan, Boxster and Cayman will be discontinued in Europe in 2024 after failing to meet new cybersecurity regulations.