Porsche Chooses the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N as the Benchmark for the Future Electric Boxster and Cayman

Inspired by the Korean high-performance EV, Porsche plans to implement simulated gear shifts and artificial engine sounds in the future electric 718 models (Boxster and Cayman).

Hyundai has certainly come a long way in the past few decades. The Seoul-based company now earns praise from Porsche. From an enthusiast’s perspective, the Ioniq 5 N is arguably the most interesting electric car to come out of South Korea. For this reason, Zuffenhausen has benchmarked the first N model without a combustion engine.

Frank Moser, vice president of the 718 and 911 model lines, spoke in a candid interview with Australian magazine Drive. The executive effusively praised the spicy Hyundai EV. Moser admitted that driving the Ioniq 5 N was an “eye-opening” experience for the brand. In fact, he added that the engineers “made it really, really good.” He particularly enjoyed the N Active Sound+ and N e-shift features, which offer artificial engine sounds and simulated gear changes.

Virtual Flat-Six Sounds for the 718 EV

Moser revealed that Porsche will take inspiration from the Ioniq 5 N’s features for the electric 718 models. The executive stated: “This is the way.” However, he emphasized that drivers should have the freedom to decide whether they want these gizmos on or off. If enabled, the driver will hear a simulated flat-six soundtrack and feel virtual gear changes in the electric Boxster and Cayman.

The vice president also recalled a particular challenge with Andreas Preuninger, Project Manager GT Vehicles. Preuninger, the man in charge of Porsche’s track-focused cars, initially refused. His first response was: “‘Leave me alone, I don’t want any of that electric stuff.'” Eventually, Moser persuaded him to ride shotgun in the Ioniq 5 N. Preuninger was impressed after experiencing the N Grin Boost mode. His reaction was a simple “Wow.”

The Performance of N Grin Boost

The N Grin Boost mode is activated by a red button on the steering wheel. This function unlocks the full potential of the dual motors. It lasts only 10 seconds, but bumps combined output to 641 hp and 568 lb-ft of torque. With this power, it achieves the 0-60 mph sprint in 3.2 seconds. However, it works only when there’s at least 30 percent battery charge. Once used, a 10-second cooldown is required before hitting the NGB button again.

Weight and Coexistence with Combustion

Porsche remains committed to launching the 718 EV. Still, the gas-less Boxster and Cayman won’t arrive before early 2027. The next-generation models were initially intended to be purely electric. Now, only the “top” versions will keep combustion engines.

Predictably, Moser said the purely electric Boxster/Cayman will be “a little bit heavier” than the outgoing 718. Porsche stopped making the previous generation last month. Although he wouldn’t give an exact figure, the executive promised it would be a “really lightweight car” for an EV. For reference, the Cayman-based Mission R concept weighed around 3,306 pounds.

If you’d prefer the lightest next-gen 718 possible, it is wise to save for the “top” versions with combustion engines. The future ICE Boxster and Cayman models are allegedly keeping the flat-six, likely paired with the T-Hybrid setup from the 911 GTS. Therefore, even the gas models are expected to weigh more than the recently retired 982 generation.