The 2023 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS remains unaffected by EU legislation.
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The impact of cybersecurity laws in Europe is evident in the discontinuation of Porsche’s popular Macan combustion-powered compact SUV. Now, it seems that the legislation is also affecting the combustion-powered 718 Boxster convertible and 718 Cayman coupe. This is due to UN Regulation No. 155 (UN R155), which mandates specific cybersecurity protections in high-volume vehicles. The European legislation will come into effect on July 1, 2024.
Meeting the requirements of UN R155 entails a significant overhaul in vehicle development processes, which Porsche finds impractical for the aging 718 models. Considering that new electric versions are set to replace the 718 pair in 2025, the combustion-powered models are being phased out prematurely. Originally planned to coexist with their electric successors, the legislation has forced Porsche to discontinue the sale of these models.
Oliver Hilger, Porsche’s spokesperson for the 718 product line, stated: “The combustion-powered 718 models will no longer be available in the European Union and regions applying EU legislation due to the General Safety Regulation. From July 1, 2024, vehicles not meeting these requirements will not be eligible for new registration. While EU markets will no longer offer combustion-powered 718 models, regions without the legislation will still have access to these models.”
The directive necessitates technical adjustments in control units and process changes in development phases to comply with cybersecurity standards. These requirements were not known or applicable during the development of the 718 combustion models, making implementation challenging.
Although the legislation affects Porsche’s higher-volume models, the lower volume 718 Cayman GT4 RS and Boxster RS Spyder remain exempt. While European sales are impacted, the rules do not affect sales in the United States. Consumers in North America and other regions will still have access to the combustion-powered Boxster and Cayman for the foreseeable future.