The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N has earned a strong reputation as one of the first electric cars designed with enthusiastic drivers in mind. Its capabilities have not gone unnoticed by Porsche, which is now benchmarking its next-generation all-electric 718 sports car against Hyundai’s high-performance EV, according to a report by Drive.
Frank Moser, Porsche’s Vice President for the 718 and 911 model lines, said he was impressed after several drives in the Ioniq 5 N. He described it as a vehicle from which Porsche has “learnt a lot,” calling its development “really, really good.” His praise was echoed internally by Andreas Preuninger, Porsche’s Director of the GT Programme. Moser recalled taking a drive with Preuninger and noted that his colleague reacted with a simple “wow” when experiencing the N Grin Boost mode.
Porsche is now considering adopting some ideas from Hyundai’s approach. Moser acknowledged that the brand is exploring features similar to Hyundai’s ‘N e-shift’, which mimics the sensation of an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox, and ‘N Active Sound+’, which offers a range of synthesised driving sounds. However, he stressed that Porsche would tailor the system to its own identity if it moves forward with the concept.
A crucial part of Porsche’s thinking is giving drivers the ability to decide how they want the car to sound and feel. Moser said the brand wants customers to be able to choose between silent operation or a more immersive experience with virtual flat-six noises and simulated gear shifts.
The new Porsche 718 was originally expected to arrive in the mid-2020s, but changes in the company’s EV strategy and slower global demand for electric models have shifted the timeline. Porsche has since confirmed that the next-generation 718 will still be available with an internal-combustion engine, likely limited to the highest-performance RS and GT4 RS variants.
As for the all-electric version, Moser indicated that the debut is now planned for early 2027. One of Porsche’s main engineering priorities is weight management. Although Moser admitted the EV will be “a little bit heavier” than the current 718, he insisted that, compared with most electric cars, the upcoming model remains “very lightweight.”
With development now progressing and Porsche drawing inspiration from one of the most acclaimed electric performance cars on sale, the next 718 EV is shaping up to be a significant moment for the brand’s electric future.
