Three decades after introducing the Boxster concept car, Porsche has unveiled the most potent iteration of the mid-engine roadster: the new Porsche 718 Spyder RS. The open-top, mid-engine sports car is powered by the high-revving naturally aspirated engine from the 911 GT3, marking the first time this has been done.
The powertrain of the new 718 Spyder RS mirrors that of the 718 Cayman GT4 RS coupe, sporting a four-liter six-cylinder boxer engine capable of revving up to 9,000 rpm and generating up to 493 hp and 331 lb.-ft. of torque. The six-cylinder engine, combined with a short-ratio seven-speed PDK transmission, propels the two-seater roadster from 0-60 mph in just 3.2 seconds. In comparison to the previous 414 hp 718 Spyder without the ‘RS’ designation, the 718 Spyder RS boasts an additional 79 hp, accelerating to 60 mph 0.5 seconds quicker, and reaching a top track speed of 191 mph. The new 718 Spyder RS is available exclusively with the seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung transmission (PDK) and comes equipped with gearshift paddles mounted on the steering wheel or an ergonomically designed selector lever on the center console for manual gear changes. Additionally, the Spyder RS is 59 pounds lighter than the 2023 Porsche 718 Spyder with optional PDK.
The new 718 Spyder RS is equipped with a distinctive manually-operated lightweight soft top, consisting of two parts: a sunshield and a weather protector, both of which are fully removable and can be stored inside the vehicle. The single-layer lightweight Spyder soft-top can be used with the sunshield only, providing shade for the driver and passenger while keeping the passenger compartment largely open to the side and rear of the vehicle. The weather protector can be added to create a complete top that effectively shields against rain when the side windows are raised. The entire top weighs just over 40 lbs, which is a significant reduction of over 16 lbs compared to the 718 Spyder and over 36 lbs versus the 718 Boxster.
The chassis of the 718 Spyder RS uses a combination of components from the 718 Cayman GT4 RS and the 718 Spyder. It comes standard with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) with sport calibration and has been lowered by 30 millimeters. It also features Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) with a mechanical rear limited slip differential, ball joint type suspension bearings and 20-inch forged alloy wheels.
The interior of the car also exudes a sporty character, with a focus on functional and ergonomic essentials. The GT Sport steering wheel, covered in Race-Tex, features a yellow 12-o’clock marking. The standard Full Bucket seats are crafted from lightweight CFRP in a carbon-weave finish, providing exceptional lateral support. The seat covers are made of black leather, while the perforated Race-Tex seat centers come in a contrasting color with a black background, with the options of Arctic Grey and Carmine Red. The ‘Spyder RS’ logo, embroidered in the respective contrasting color, adorns the headrests. The dashboard and trims are wrapped in leather. The car is available in four standard and three metallic exterior colors, including the new Vanadium Grey Metallic, as well as the special colors of Arctic Grey, Shark Blue, and Ruby Star Neo.
The Spyder RS also offers an optional Weissach Package, which includes various sporty enhancements. The package includes lightweight forged magnesium wheels, and when combined with this package, the sport exhaust system’s tailpipes are made of titanium, inspired by the limited-edition 935 from 2018. The exterior highlights of the package include an exposed carbon fiber hood, carbon fiber combustion air scoops on the sides, and a carbon fiber Gurney flap on the rear spoiler. The upper part of the dashboard is covered with Race-Tex, providing a visual highlight inside the car. The seat headrests feature embroidered “Weissach” logos, and the cloth top gains an embossed Weissach logo.
Porsche Design has created a handcrafted chronograph exclusively available to buyers of the Porsche 718 Spyder RS. The watch is made by the Porsche watchmaking operation in Solothurn, Switzerland, and is designed to match the car’s configuration. The case is crafted from titanium, the dial is made of carbon fiber, and the strap is made of vehicle leather. On the back of the watch, the rotor reflects the respective wheel design on the 718 Spyder RS.
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