New Porsche 718 Spyder RS: the most powerful Boxster ever

Thirty years after unveiling the first Boxster concept, Porsche has introduced the most powerful version yet of its mid-engined roadster: the new Porsche 718 Spyder RS.

For the first time, the Stuttgart marque has fitted the naturally aspirated engine from the 911 GT3 to a mid-engined convertible sports car. It is also very likely to be the final combustion-engined Boxster variant, with the next generation set to be fully electric.

The result is the 718 Spyder RS, effectively the open-top counterpart to the 718 Cayman GT4 RS, which Guilherme Costa has already pushed to the limit at the Estoril Circuit. You can watch, or rewatch, that video:

The heart of the 911 GT3

The engine is the obvious place to begin, as the 718 Spyder RS uses the same 500 hp naturally aspirated six-cylinder boxer engine found in the 911 GT3.

This 4.0-litre unit “screams” all the way to 9,000 rpm and produces 450 Nm of peak torque. Paired with the familiar seven-speed PDK transmission, the flat-six launches the 718 Spyder RS from 0-100 km/h in just 3.4 seconds and to 200 km/h in 10.9 seconds. Acceleration does not end until it reaches 308 km/h.

Power alone does not define the 718 Spyder RS, however. It weighs just 1,410 kg: 40 kg less than the PDK-equipped 718 Spyder and 5 kg less than the 718 Cayman GT4 RS.

A roof reduced to the essentials

Most of the weight saving compared with the 718 Spyder comes from the roof, which has a distinctive and highly compact design. At only 18.3 kg, it is 7.6 kg lighter than the 718 Spyder roof and 16.5 kg lighter than that of the Boxster.

Operated manually, the roof consists of two sections: a sun sail and a wind deflector. Both pieces can be removed, then stored in the car either together or separately.

The sun sail is designed to shield the driver and passenger from sunlight, while the deflector forms a complete roof arrangement that protects occupants from rain when the windows are raised.

German precision in the Porsche 718 Spyder RS chassis

The chassis has also received extensive changes, with Porsche drawing on components used in both the 718 Spyder and the 718 Cayman GT4 RS.

Fitted as standard with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) in a more performance-oriented tune, the 718 Spyder RS sits 30 mm lower than the 718 Spyder. It also features Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV), a mechanical limited-slip differential and suspension bearings with ball joints.

Compared with the 718 Cayman GT4 RS, its springs and dampers have been tuned more softly, delivering a more relaxed setup suited to a convertible. Ground clearance, camber and anti-roll bars can nevertheless be adjusted individually.

A 718 Cayman GT4 roadster

In visual terms, the 718 Spyder RS immediately recalls the 718 Cayman GT4 RS, particularly at the front. As standard, it has a carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) bonnet with two air intakes, joined by a large central intake and two deflectors at the edges of the bumper, which help increase downforce.

The key distinction is the shorter front lower lip than the one used on the 718 Cayman GT4 RS.

That is because the 718 Spyder RS does not have the coupé's huge fixed rear wing, and therefore generates less downforce. Instead, it uses a ducktail spoiler, meaning a smaller lower lip is sufficient to “balance the aerodynamic equation”.

The Porsche 718 Spyder RS comes as standard with 20-inch forged aluminium wheels, although forged magnesium items are available. They form part of the Weissach package, which also adds titanium exhaust tailpipes inspired by those of the 935 shown in 2018.

A performance-focused interior

The 718 Spyder RS's more sporting character is equally evident inside, where the cabin has been stripped back to the essentials.

Standard equipment includes carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic sports bucket seats, with perforated Race-Tex centre sections, as on the RS sports steering wheel, and “Spyder RS” logos embossed on the head restraints.

The instrument panel and all surrounding trim are finished in leather. With the Weissach package, the entire upper section of the dashboard is trimmed in Race-Tex.

How much does it cost?

In Portugal, prices for the new Porsche 718 Spyder RS start at €213,586.

Its first public appearance will take place in June at Porsche's 75th-anniversary celebrations in Stuttgart. Shortly afterwards, it will also be shown in England at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.