Three Sports Cars That Could Threaten The Upcoming All-Electric Porsche 718

If the thought of a 718 EV puts you off, these alternatives could be a worthy substitute to Porsche's entry-level performance model

by Dimitar Angelov on August 29, 2024, 07:00

If you’ve been following what’s happening in the world of Porsche sports cars, you probably already know that from 2025, the mid-engine 718 is going fully electric. While Porsche is doing a lot to ensure the internal combustion engine remains in service for as long as possible, the brand also has goals to electrify 60 percent of its lineup, by 2030. While this may not turn out as the company initially anticipated, the next-generation Porsche Cayman/ Boxster will feature a fully electric powertrain. The thought of a fully electric Porsche sports car is detested by many Porsche purists.

The Porsche enthusiast will always go for a Porsche (maybe not this one), but if you want an entry-level high-performance sports car that still relies on liquid dinosaurs, it appears that the following three models are good contenders to steal buyers from the upcoming (983) Porsche 718 EV. Some of these models are not yet on sale but are due to be released within the next two years. They may not have the esteemed Porsche badge, but they pack an explosive, gasoline-powered punch. While it will be some time before Porsche announces official prices for the electric 718, it is expected to start at around $78,000, making all of the below-mentioned sports cars true bargains by comparison.

Nissan Z NISMO

Three Sports Cars That Could Threaten The Upcoming All-Electric Porsche 718 storyboard - image 191728

Let’s kick things off with a model that’s already here. The successor to the Nissan 370Z was long-anticipated and it did many things right. While even the regular Nissan Z is a force to be reckoned with, the NISMO Z brings enhanced levels of performance, compared to the standard model. Better aero, more aggressive styling, tuned suspension, and more power are well worth the $65,750 MSRP.

The VR30 DDTT V-6 engine already proved to be a tuner-friendly mill, to the point where some refer to it as the “baby GT-R engine". The only downside is that unlike the lesser Nissan Z variants, the NISMO Z only comes with the Mercedes-derived, 9G Speedshift automatic transmission.

Performance Specifications	2024 Nissan Z NISMO
Engine	3.0-liter, DOHC, twin-turbo V-6
Power	420 horsepower at 6,400 RPM
Torque	384 lb-ft at 2,000-5,200 RPM
Transmission	9-speed MCT automatic
Curb weight	3,704 lbs
0-60 mph	3.9 seconds
Top speed	173 mph

Toyota GR MR-2

Three Sports Cars That Could Threaten The Upcoming All-Electric Porsche 718 storyboard - image 191722

After a 19-year absence, Toyota is bringing back the MR-2. The Japanese carmaker has been on a roll, resurrecting old names from the dead, and "The Poor Man’s Ferrari" is ready to have another crack as an affordable-ish, mid-engine sports car. The new GR MR-2 will retain a two-seater, mid-engine layout, but for the first time in the model’s history, it will have all-wheel drive. Even better, Toyota recently introduced two new engines, one of which is a 2.0-liter, turbo-four. The new engine will develop up to 400 horsepower in road application but is said to be capable of 600 in competition spec.

This would give even the range-topping Porsche 718 Spyder RS a run for its money. We expect the base-model Porsche 718 (983) EV will be powered by the base Macan’s 360-horsepower electric powertrain, making the new Celica (and all other cars on the list) more powerful. Thanks to already knowing some of the numbers, we know what to expect from the future Toyota GR MR-2. When it hits the showroom floors, the MR-2 is expected to be around $65,000, which would make it a budget-friendly alternative to the Porsche 718.

Performance Specifications	2026 Toyota GR MR-2
Engine	2.0-liter, DOHC, turbocharged inline-4
Power	400 horsepower
Torque	405 lb-ft
Transmission	6-speed manual/ 8-speed automatic or 7-speed DCT
Curb weight	TBA
0-60 mph	est. 3.7 seconds
Top speed	TBA

Toyota Celica GR Sport

Toyota Celica - 5 Reasons Why It’s Worth the Wait! by Brake Bias

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLmj3TNIY28

The biggest bargain on the list, by far, is the upcoming, 2026 Toyota Celica GR Sport. The two-plus-two coupe will make its debut alongside the GR MR-2. The new Celica will be positioned below the mid-engine model but will pack the same turbo-four engine with 400 horsepower. The GR-Four, all-wheel-drive system will also be shared by the two Toyota sports cars. The biggest surprise is the 2026 Celica’s price, which is rumored to be priced between $40-45,000 - by far the most generous dollar-per-horsepower ratio, assuming the starting MSRP gets you the full, 400-horsepower variant.

We also know that the new Celica will be a more luxurious take on the sports car, but will still offer the option of a manual transmission. Like the GR MR-2, the Celica GR Sport will offer an automatic. This will, most likely be the company’s existing eight-speed automatic, but we know a seven-speed DCT will make it into the Toyota Supra GRMN. Speaking of the GR Supra, its technological twin, the BMW Z4, is still around, offering a worthy alternative to the current Porsche 718 Boxster. Looking at the many alternatives to the Porsche 718 that are available, it begs the question, where does Porsche stand on hydrogen propulsion and alternative fuels?

Performance Specifications	2026 Toyota Celica GR Sport
Engine	2.0-liter, DOHC, turbocharged inline-4
Power	400 horsepower
Torque	405 lb-ft
Transmission	6-speed manual/ 8-speed automatic or 7-speed DCT
Curb weight	TBA
0-60 mph	est. 3.9 seconds
Top speed	TBA

Dimitar Angelov

Dim has been an automotive journalist since 2014. Although he is interested in all things automotive, his main interests revolve around, Asian, classic, and sports cars. He is particularly fond of Porsche sports cars as well as JDM classics from Toyota, Nissan, Honda, and others. Dim operates mainly from Bulgaria, but can, occasionally, be seen attending Europe's most reputable Auto shows, and events. Read full bio