Porsche has unveiled its most powerful Boxster yet, in the form of the 718 Spyder RS.
It’s the first time, the high-revving naturally aspirated power plant from the 911 GT3 has powered an open-top, mid-engine sports car.
As the last new 718 to feature an internal combustion engine, the Spyder RS marks the crowning achievement of the model line that was launched in 2016.
The new 718 Spyder RS is a counterpart to the 718 Cayman GT4 RS.
The same lightweight powertrain with its high-revving engine characteristics also powers the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup racing car.
The exceptionally light and pure soft top of the 718 Spyder RS makes the highly evocative sound of the engine an even more compelling experience.
The effect is further heightened by a standard lightweight stainless steel sport exhaust system and the distinctive combustion air inlets on the sides behind the headrests.
The 4.0-litre six-cylinder boxer engine revs to 9000 rpm and produces 368kW of power and 450Nm of torque, 59kW and 20Nm more than the GT4.
Combined with a short-ratio seven-speed PDK transmission, the six-cylinder engine catapults the two-seat roadster from 0-100km/h in just 3.4 seconds.
Like every modern RS, the new 718 Spyder RS is available exclusively with a seven-speed PDK auto, with gear shift paddles mounted on the steering wheel.
In addition to the more powerful engine, the Spyder RS weighs 40kg less than the GT4.
The new 718 Spyder RS comes with a unique manually-operated, lightweight soft top.
It consists of two parts: a sunshield and a weather protector.
Both are completely removable and can be stowed in the vehicle.
The single-layer lightweight Spyder soft-top can be used with the sunshield alone, shading the driver and passenger.
The passenger compartment remains largely open to the side and behind the passengers.
Together with the weather protector, this creates a complete top that provides effective protection against rain when the side windows are raised.
The entire top weighs slightly more than 18kg.
The chassis 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 30mm.
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.
Ride height, toe, camber, and anti-roll bars are all adjustable.
Compared to the 718 Cayman GT4 RS, spring and damper rates have been reduced to achieve a more relaxed, characteristically convertible-style set-up.
Like the 718 Cayman GT4 RS, customers can optionally specify a front axle lift system.
As with the 718 Cayman GT4 RS, it raises the front end by 30mm while driving up to 60km/h.
Inside, the Race-Tex covered GT Sport steering wheel features a yellow 12-o’clock marking.
The standard Full Bucket seats are made of lightweight CFRP in a carbon-weave finish and offer a high degree of lateral support.
The seat covers are made of black leather, while the perforated Race-Tex seat centres 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 standard and three metallic paints, including the new Vanadium Grey Metallic as well as the special colours Arctic Grey, Shark Blue and Ruby Star Neo.
An optional Weissach Package is also available.
Lightweight, optional forged magnesium wheels can be ordered in combination with this very sporty equipment package.
When equipped with this package, the tailpipes of the sport exhaust system are made of titanium.
Their design was inspired by the limited-edition 935 from 2018.
Further exterior highlights include an exposed carbon fibre hood, carbon fibre combustion air scoops on the sides, and a carbon fibre Gurney flap on the rear spoiler.
Inside the upper part of the dash is covered with Race-Tex, while the seat headrests are embroidered with Weissach logos and the cloth top gains an embossed Weissach logo.
Available exclusively to buyers of the car is a handcrafted chronograph by Porsche Design, made by the Porsche watchmaking operation in Solothurn, Switzerland.
The Porsche 718 Spyder RS will celebrate its public premiere in June at the festivities marking 75 years of Porsche sports cars in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen.
Shortly afterwards, it will make an appearance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in England.
CHECKOUT: Big updates for Porsche Cayenne
CHECKOUT: Porsche names colour after this man