Thirty years after the presentation of the Boxster concept car, Porsche is launching the most powerful version yet of the popular mid-engined roadster: the new Porsche 718 Spyder RS. For the first time, the high-revving naturally aspirated engine from the 911 GT3 Cup racing car is being deployed in an open-top mid-engined sports car.
The six-cylinder boxer engine, with its cylinder displacement of 4.0 litres, revs up to 9,000 rpm and generates an output of 368 kW (500 PS) and a maximum torque of 450 Newton meters. Combined with a short-ratio seven-speed PDK transmission, the six-cylinder engine propels the two-seater roadster from 0-100 km/h in 3.4 seconds (a half second faster than the non-RS Spyder) and the car hits the 200-km/h mark in just 10.9 seconds when tested on the track.
Like every modern RS model, the new 718 Spyder RS is available exclusively with the Porsche dual clutch transmission (PDK). This gearbox shifts through its seven gears at lightning speed and guarantees maximum performance.
The new 718 Spyder RS comes with a manually operated lightweight Spyder RS soft-top. The design is amazingly compact, consisting of two parts: a sun sail and a weather deflector. Both are completely removable and can be stowed in the vehicle. The sun sail alone can also be used as a ‘bimini top’ like on a boat, thereby protecting the driver and front passenger from intense sunlight. With the side windows down, the passenger compartment remains largely open to the side and behind the passengers.
Together with the weather deflector, this creates a complete top that provides effective protection against rain when the side windows are raised. The entire top weighs only 18.3 kg, that’s 7.6 kg less than the one on the 718 Spyder and 16.5 kg less than the 718 Boxster top. Or leave the top at hop and drop 8kg.
The chassis of the 718 Spyder RS uses components from the 718 Cayman GT4 RS and the 718 Spyder It comes standard with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) with sports tuning and has been lowered by 30 millimetres. It also features Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) with mechanical rear differential lock, suspension bearings with ball joints and 20-inch forged aluminium wheels.
The behaviour of the chassis is characterised by razor-sharp steering precision, as well as agile and extremely neutral handling. The ride height, camber, track and anti-roll bar can all be adjusted individually. Compared to the 718 Cayman GT4 RS, spring and damper rates have been reduced to achieve a more relaxed, characteristically convertible-style set-up.
The interior is sporty, ergonomic essentials. The grippy RS sports steering wheel is covered with Race-Tex and features a yellow 12 o’clock marking. The standard full bucket seats are made of lightweight CFRP in a carbon- weave finish and offer particularly impressive lateral support.
The seat covers are made of black leather, while the perforated Race-Tex seat centre features a contrasting colour with a black background. The contrasting colours are Arctic Grey and Carmine Red. A ‘Spyder RS’ logo in the respective contrasting colour is embroidered on the headrests. The dashboard and trims are covered with leather. Available exterior colours include four plain and three metallic paints, including the new Vanadium Grey Metallic as well as the special colours Arctic Grey, Shark Blue and Ruby Star Neo.
In Australia, the new Porsche 718 Spyder RS will be additionally equipped with a tyre fit set, windshield with Grey top tint, LED headlights including Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS), automatically- dimming mirrors and rain sensor, cruise control, ParkAssist (rear only) with reversing camera, light design package and digital radio. Both seat heating and BOSE Surround Sound System are available as a no-cost option
The new Porsche Spyder RS will be available for order from 10 May 2023 and pricing starts at $336,800*, with deliveries expected to commence from Q2 2024.
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