Porsche’s new 718 Spyder RS marks the end of the petrol-powered Boxster
Powerful roadster uses the engine from the 911 GT3.
Porsche has topped its 718 line-up with a new 718 Spyder RS – the final petrol Boxster before the model is electrified.
Weighing in at 1,410kg, the 718 Spyder RS uses the 4.0-litre engine from the 911 GT3, bringing 493bhp and 450Nm of torque, which helps this mid-engined roadster to go from zero to 60mph in 3.2 seconds. It’ll hit a top speed of 191mph, too. All versions use Porsche’s dual-clutch gearbox – or PDK – for super-fast gear shifts.
In terms of design, the front end mimics that of the hard-top 718 Cayman GT4 RS, bringing a bonnet made from carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) and additional air ducts to help keep the brakes cool.
It also features a manually-operated soft-top hood, which is made up of two parts – a ‘sun sail’ and a weather deflector. Both can be removed entirely and either left at home or stored in the car, while the ‘sun sail’ can be used on its own to protect the car’s occupants from the sun’s rays while still allowing a ‘largely open’ area behind. The entire roof system weighs 18.3kg, which is 16.5kg less than the standard 718 Boxster.
Inside, there’s a sports steering wheel covered in a grippy Race-Tex material, while the standard-fit bucket seats are also made from CFRP but trimmed in black leather.
Andreas Preuninger, head of GT Cars at Porsche, said: “The 718 Spyder RS raises driving pleasure to a new level for open-top cars.
“The combination of our unmistakable GT3 engine, the close-ratio transmission, compact dimensions, low weight, road-optimised racing suspension and maximum openness offers an extremely compelling and unfiltered driving experience.”
The Porsche 718 Spyder RS is available to order now with prices starting at £123,000.
